GEORGIA - 1964

In 1964 I participated in a special tour for photography buffs to Russia, Georgia and Uzbekistan. This section has a few photos that were taken during that tour.

The Georgia Military Highway was the main route over the Caucasus Mountains. It used the lowest pass near the center of the range (lowest but still higher than those in the Alps). The highway connected Vladikavkas in North Ossetia in the north with Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia a distance of 129 miles. The road followed the Terek River valley south - up through the mountains to the Krestory Pass at 2388 meters above sea level and then down the Aragevi River valley to Mtskketa at the confluence of Aragevi and Kura Rivers and then the few remaining miles along the Kura to Tbilisi.

Setting out for the drive across the Caucasus - here crossing a bridge over the Terek River in Vladikavkaz.

On the road toward the Caucasus

The road is practically in the bed of the Terek river as we climb into the mountains.

The road crosses a small stream - here the foothills are well cultivated - plenty of small villages. The map shows 14 named villages along the Terek.

Another village set in a small valley between high mountains - the river flows swiftly below.

The remains of the entrance to a Russian fort of which there are several from the days of Shamil - This might be redan 1 or redan 2 or the 'fortress' at Ananuri, all of which show on the guide maps. General Todleben, came this way in 1768 before the 'highway' was even built to render assistance to the Georgians in one of their continual wars with the Turks. He pushed and draged his cannon up the Terek river bed and down the bed of the Aragevi. After the Napoleonic Wars General Yermolov built the road and it was opened to traffic by 1817. Many famous Russian writers followed in his footsteps through the Daryal gorge.

Grafiti on the remains of a corner tower of the Russian fort.

Obviously this small fort could control the road through the pass, but would have been highly vulnerable to enemies if they had firearms and could scale the overlooking mountains.

The ruined interior of the small fort part way into the Caucasus.

Top of the fort tower showing also how the place is overflooked by high mountains.

The road climbs the side of the mountains with many hairpin switchbacks.

Here the road is again crossing the river bed high into the mountains.

A medieval fort or castle on a hilltop

A closer view of the isolated castle

Remains of another castle of small fort set on a steep hill that blocks the valley.

Another beautiful valley with the road carved into the hillside above the river.

The sunlight does not penetrate much into this narrow valley - from the size of the people here one can get an idea of the scale of this rock and the castle ruin on its summit.

View from the road down into the river valley

Another view of the bus as passengers take a break in a small stream that intersects the road way.

A view of a deep valley below the roadway with a river - either the Kura or the Aragvi

Nearing a bend in the highway as it leaves the montains we find an old watch tower - many enemies passed this way over the centuries.

A old watchtower near the road as it nears Mtskheta

The Sveti Tskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta - here was kept the Robe of Christ for centuries until the town was captured by Persian Shah Abbas in the 17th century and the Robe was sent to the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich as a gift. It was installed in the church in the Kremlin and also another church was built celebrating the Deposition of the Robe

The upper part of the Sveti Tskoveli Cathedral (Church of the Twelve Apostles - and also Church of the Pillar of Life)- in Mtskheta - the medieval capital of Georgia.

Drum and upper part of the Sveti Tskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta from the 15th century.

View inside the courtyard of the Sveti Tskhoveli Cathedral

A priest welcomes us to the cathedral

Portrait of a Georgian priest

Inscription in Georgian on a memorial stone at the cathedral

In the forground is the fortress and Cathedral outer wall of Mtskheta and in the distance is the Dzhavari Church on its lonely hill across the Aragvi River.

View from the 'road' as we approach the Dzhavari Church

Details of some decorations on the walls of the Dzhavari Church

Dzhavari Church on a steep hill across the Argavi River from Mtskheta - The original was built from 583 to 604. It is enclosed in this new expansion.

Passageway in the Dzhavari Church

Door and window of the Dzhavari Church

A Soviet Army engineer bridge building unit camp at the foot of the hill on which is the Dzhavari Church and on the bank of the Aragvi River. I just happened to snap this photo while exploring the church ruin.

View of Mtskheta from the Dzhavari Church across the Aragvi River that joins the Kura from the right - the Kura then flows to the left bottom of the photo. We see the Sveti Tskhoveli Cathedral in its enclosure

A main government building in downtown Tbilisi

A large government building downtown

New construction in downtown

Wall constructed out of river stones.

Shota Rustaveli Monument in Rustaveli square, designed by Merabishvili in 1942.

The Metekhi Chapel on a cliff overlooking the Kura River in the center of Tbilisi. There was a chapel here from around 544 and then a new one built in 1278-83 that has been rennovated several times.

The Metekhi Chapel on a cliff overlooking the Kura River in the center of Tbilisi. There was a chapel here from around 544 and then a new one built in 1278-83 that has been rennovated several times.

The Metekhi Chapel on a cliff overlooking the Kura River in the center of Tbilisi. There was a chapel here from around 544 and then a new one built in 1278-83 that has been rennovated several times.

The Metekhi Chapel on a cliff overlooking the Kura River in the center of Tbilisi. In the distance is Mt David with the railroad to the top and St. David's church on the mountain side.

View from the top of Mt. David over the city - note the Kura river flowing through and the Metekhi Chapel on a cliff where the river makes a sharp bend.

The funicular railroad to the top of Mt David was built in 1905. The Kura river flows through the town below

St. David's Church on the side of Mt David (Mtsminda Mountain) The first church built here was in the 6th century. Then another was built in 1542. many famous local figures are burried here.

Fresh vegetables in the local market

A stone mason preparing a replacement for reconstruction.

Showing some Georgian ladies photos - note Mt David in the distance.

Local men

Who ever this is it looks like he does not appreciate me sitting in his lap.