Khikhani fortress – a green paradise on earth
If you are looking for a new impression, you want challenges and unforgettable adventures, then be sure to visit Khikhani fortress. This place reminds you of a real paradise. A huge area is hidden in the greenery, which approaches the clouds and makes an unforgettable impression on visitors. If you decide to visit the medieval fortress, you will have to travel to Adjara, to the village of Zeda Tkhilvana in Khulo Municipality, just a 3-hour drive from Batumi. Khikhani Fortress is one of the most important fortresses in Adjara. It was built on an important strategic place and was one of the shelters of Georgian nobles.
When the enemy defeated the fortresses of Tbilisi and Gori, they took refuge in this fortress. The area of the fortress is almost one hectare. Only a small part of it is plain. The rest are located on an acclivous and steep slope. There are several layers in the construction of the fortress: the oldest – X-XI centuries, the new XVII-XIX centuries.
The ruins of many buildings in Khirkhati are preserved. Some of them partially and some completely destroyed. According to legend, the Khikhani fortress had many underground secret roads through which it was connected to nearby villages during times of hardship. The most important monument of all time is attributed to Queen Tamar and there are many legends about it. It turns out that there is a tunnel in the village of Bako near the Khikhani fortress. The locals call it the Kviakho mine, which was connected to the Khikhani fortress, from where Queen Tamar walked to pray. She also crossed the Khikhani Fortress through a tunnel under the Prasnauli Mountain to the village of Peri – in the Potskhovi gorge. When the Shah of Iran found this tunnel, he wanted to capture Tamar and ambushed her with the army. Queen Tamar did not surrender to the Shah and poisoned herself with poison kept in her ring.
