Georgia's Rock-Cut Heritage

Discover three outstanding monuments that illustrate Georgia's long tradition of rock-cut architecture, settlement and monastic life.

Uplistsikhe rock-hewn city 01

Uplistsikhe

Shida Kartli, Georgia

An ancient rock-hewn town overlooking the Kura River, with streets, halls, temples and structures spanning from the Early Iron Age to the Middle Ages.

Explore Uplistsikhe
Vardzia cave monastery 02

Vardzia

Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

A monumental medieval cave monastery created in the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain, renowned for its multi-level architecture and important wall paintings.

Explore Vardzia
David Gareji monastery complex 03

David Gareji

Kakheti, Georgia

A vast rock-hewn monastic landscape founded in the 6th century, comprising cave churches, cells, chapels and refectories across Georgia's semi-desert terrain.

Explore David Gareji
These pages introduce the wider cultural and archaeological context of Georgia's artificial cavities. Information about the two official HYPOGEA 2026 field trips is available on the Excursions page.