Photos: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 John Deckinga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 John Deckinga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Armazi hilltop ruins and the ancient capital
Your local guide
Giorgi Abashidze
View profile
Highlights
- Ancient Iberia's fortress foundations
- A first-century inscription, explained
- Where a fire temple once stood
- The Mtkvari valley from Bagineti hill
- Georgia's capital before Mtskheta
About this tour
This session climbs Bagineti hill to the ruins of Armazi, the fortified capital of ancient Iberia before Mtskheta grew below it. You see the stone foundations of its walls and palace, then the excavated crypt where a first-century inscription came to light. Between the stones and the valley view, it traces a capital that predates the cathedral by centuries.
We take the climb steadily so the camera stays level, pausing partway up for the valley view, then spend most of the call among the foundations themselves. I keep the historical detail concrete and point out what each ruin actually was, and a short list of the sites follows the call.
It suits anyone who wants Georgian history before Christianity arrived, and travellers who prefer ruins and quiet hilltops to crowded monuments.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Mtskheta before heading out.
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Bagineti hilltop approach 21 min
The camera climbs the path to Bagineti hill, and I point out the Mtkvari valley opening up below before we reach the excavation site.
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Armazi fortress foundations 21 min
You see the stone foundations of the ancient Iberian capital's fortress walls, and I trace where the royal palace and a fire temple once stood.
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Armazi crypt and inscriptions 21 min
We stop at the excavated crypt where a first-century inscription was found, and I explain what it tells historians about Iberia's ties to Rome.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Mtskheta: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Lobio and Aragvi riverside, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Tbilisi time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 6 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Mtskheta, showing you Bagineti hilltop approach and Armazi fortress foundations live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I climb Bagineti hill live with my phone.
Times shown in Tbilisi time (GMT+4)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sun 25 Oct · 6 seats left From 27,00 €
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