The monastery of Vardzia
Vardzia Cave Monastery was built during the reign of King George III and his daughter, Queen Tamar. There exists a legend on the origin of the name of this exceptional monument of medieval architecture. According to legend, when Tamar was still a little girl, she loved to play in this cavernous city which was still unfinished at that time.
One day, when she was playing there with her uncle who lost sight of her, Tamar shouted loud and clear from this labyrinth of caves: "Ak var dzia!" "Which translates from Georgian as:" I am here, uncle! ". The last two words echoed throughout the caves, and were heard by King George III. This is how he ordered this place to be called "Vardzia".
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