Bochorma fortress-complex

Bochorma fortress-complex is located in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Tianeti municipality. The exact date of the fortress construction is unknown. It is first mentioned in written sources in the 10th century. Bochorma Fortress was an important strategic point in the 10th century, it was also the political center of Kakheti. In 914 the castle was temporarily occupied by the Arabs. For some time, along with other important fortresses of Kakheti, it was owned by Bagrat IV, but he was soon forced to cede it together with Ujarma to the king of Kakheti-Hereti, Aghsartani, in exchange for the treasure of Amira Phadlon. In the XVIII century, a significant part of the castle was rebuilt by Erekle II. In 1747, the battle between Erekle II and Abdul-Beg, the heir to the throne, intensified and the king was fortified in Bochorma fortress. Bochorma Castle was operational until the XVIII century. Bochorma Castle has undergone many changes over the centuries and has reached us in a very damaged form. The complex includes a fence, St. George's Church, and defense and agricultural buildings. Bochorma Fortress is one of the most important and interesting cultural and historical monuments of Georgia.

Architecture

Bochorma fortress-complex includes several buildings: a fence, St. George's Church, Palace and Defense, and Agricultural Buildings. The castle walls follow the complex terrain of the mountain. It consists of two parts, the main one being the inner castle, in the southern part of which the ruins of the palace are preserved. The castle has an entrance from the east. The towers are embedded in the walls of the fortress. The palace is a rectangular building, constructed of crushed stone and is partially invaded by a slope. It consists of two rooms of different areas, which are connected by a door. The building has two wide entrances from the south. In the middle of the fortress stands one of the most outstanding monuments of Georgian culture - the six-apse, central-domed church of the 10th century. Six arms ending in an apse radiate from the central space of the temple. In front of each apse is a bema. The bema in front of the altar is much deeper than the rest, which is why the apse of the altar is partially protruding from the building and is bounded by a triangular ridge on the outside. The space of each arm is separated from the space under the dome by two simple pilasters and a pedestal arch resting on them. There are two entrances - in the south-west and north-west apses. Gates adjoined both entrances, but today only the southwestern gate has remained. The interior of the church is completely painted. The frescoes are damaged, though almost all of the compositions stand out. The temple is built of shirim and green sandstone.