Category: Caves Georgia Top List USA
Source: https://top-list.co/top-most-beautiful-caves-in-georgia-v1715.html
Tetra Cave Natural Monument
Tetra Cave Natural Monument is the Most Beautiful Cave in Georgia, a karst cave located 1.6 kilometers northwest of Tskaltubo in Tskaltubo Municipality in Georgia’s Imereti region. It is 140 meters above sea level and is known locally as White Cave. Tetra Cave was formed in the karst massif of Sataphlia-Tskaltubo. It is naturally decorated with chalk limestone, which adds a lot of white color to the cave interior. The cave entrance is guarded by a special door that conceals a 2-meter-diameter vertical hole with a long, horizontal bottom floor that leads to a 25-meter-long and 3.5-meter-high limestone cave with characteristic white chalk remains. The cave has a fascinating variety of old siphon channels.
The cave exploration can be quite magical if you’re lucky enough to be in a quiet and respectful group of fellow visitors. The concrete paths and steps are well-knit, and the multi-colored lighting is truly breathtaking. Stalactites, stalagmites, mirror pools, petrified waterfalls, “bottomless holes,” massive cavernous ceilings, and a journey to the lowest point with a river miraculously running through. The guide service could use some improvement—little details must be requested because there are no signs, and only basic information is provided.
Location: Tskaltubo, Georgia.
123rf.com
Sataplia Cave
This small reserve, located 9 kilometers from Kutaisi, was renovated six years ago to protect the Sataplia Cave and dinosaur footprints discovered in the area. Sataplia Cave is one of the Most Beautiful Caves in Georgia, it was established in 1935 to protect the Sataplia Cave and dinosaur footprints discovered in the area. The first stage of the tour involves an enclosed space and a clamber up a staircase with smooth limestone rock below, with the three-toed footprints of some 7 species of “Sataplasaurus” dinosaurs left in the rock dating to the Cretaceous Period (165-65 million years ago) clearly visible. Then it’s out into the woods, past a few fiberglass mini replica dinosaurs, and into the short but beautiful caves- a well-lit, sturdy 314-meter-long pathway and beautiful rock formations, including the bulbous “heart” rock in the center.
Back outside, there’s a nice narrow path that leads past golden cliffs and woods below—honey bees used to live in these very rocks. The bees left a long time ago. If you have the energy, walk to the glass walkway that juts out over the edge of the highest point and provides a spectacular view of the valley. The walkway, like the glass wedding house above it, was built during the previous administration’s tenure. Both have fallen into a state of “unlove,” with the slippers meant to protect the glass from scratches frequently missing and the wedding house closed and dusty. The guide was pleasant but impatient to complete the tour and the slower members of the large group we were infrequently missed the few descriptive moments. Halfway through, there was a simple but interesting museum with a dinosaur skeleton and black and white photos of those who discovered the dinosaur footprints.
Location: Kutaisi, Georgia
flickr.com
Uplistsikhe Cave
Uplistsikhe (meaning Lord of the Fortress) was a massive cave town located 10 kilometers east of Gori. Uplistsikhe is one of the Most Beautiful Caves in Georgia, which was built between 6 BC and 1 AD, had become one of the most important political and religious centers of the pre-Christian Kartli, with temples to pagan gods. Following the Arab conquest of Tbilisi in 645 AD, Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and an important trading post on the main caravan route from Asia to Europe. The Mongols eventually destroyed Uplistsikhe in 1240. Uplistsikhe now consists of the inner city territory of 40 000 m2, which has been preserved from the original massive settlement. Almost all of the caves and findings here were discovered during archaeologists’ excavations beginning in the 1950s. The majority of the excavated artifacts – beautiful gold, silver, and bronze jewelry, as well as magnificent fragments of ceramics and sculptures – can be seen at Tbilisi’s National Museum.
At first glance, this ancient complex appears to be abstract and formless. It is noteworthy that Uplistsikhe is Georgia’s oldest settlement, dating back to the Iron Age, or the second millennium BC. The cave town of Uplistsikhe is now on UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage sites. A narrow tunnel connects the central area, which contains the majority of the rock structures, to the lower area. The majority of rock structures are devoid of any decorative elements; however, larger structures may contain elements of stone carving. A Christian stone basilica dating from the 10th century can be found in the upper part of the complex.
Location: Gori, Georgia
itinari.com
Davit Garedji Monastery
One of the Most Beautiful Caves in Georgia – The David Gareji monastery complex is historically significant and holds a special place among Georgia’s numerous cultural monuments. St. David Gareji, one of the thirteen Assyrian Fathers, is said to have founded the monastery of Gareji in the sixth century. David established the first monastery in Georgia in a natural cave in the Gareji desert, with the goal of spreading Christianity throughout the country. Even after so many centuries, David Gareji continues to astound visitors with its design and high-level artistic wall paintings. The complex consists of 13 monasteries scattered across the hills of Georgia and Azerbaijan’s semi-desert region.
The numerous caves carved into the rugged desert rocks are the first thing that catches the eye. The caves were used as chapels, churches, and monks’ quarters. The majority of the cave chapels have well-preserved frescoes dating from the 10th–13th centuries. Not far from the David Gareji cave complex is the Udabno cave monastery complex, which is also well-known and significant. Udabno’s cave chapels are breathtaking. They have ancient religious murals and frescoes covering them.
Location: Udabno, Georgia
viator.com
