Tsurtavi Castle

Tsurtavi Castle, also known as Kolagiri Castle or Queen Darejan's Palace, lies in the village of Kolagiri, in the Bolnisi municipality in the Kvemo Kartli region in Georgia.

Tsurtavi Castle was built between 1788 and 1798 by Queen Darejan Dadiani, the wife of Erekle II of Georgia. I think it was used as a place of refuge for villagers in times of trouble. In its empty interior only stands the St. Ketevan Church, built at the same time as the castle. At the beginning of the 19th century the castle lost its importance.

The castle has a square ground plan with large round towers at its corners. It has 2 gate towers.

At present Tsurtavi Castle is also known as Tsurtavi Monastery as it is used as a convent; there are just 4 nuns living there. It can not freely be visited; you have to call a phone number off a small poster on the gate door, after which one of the nuns may let you in for a short visit. A very nicely preserved castle.

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