Distance from Batumi: 112 km
Distance from Khulo: 44 km
Khikhani Fortress (also known as Khirkhati Fortress) is located in the village of Zedathilvana, Khulo Municipality, at an elevation of 2,236 meters above sea level.
The fortress occupies a strategically advantageous location. It is naturally protected on all sides and reinforced with defensive walls; the only access point is a footpath approaching from the southeast.
Archaeology:
Khikhani Fortress, a structure of military significance, dates back to the 11th–13th centuries. The fortress complex spans an area of one hectare. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site once housed an ancient perimeter wall, four towers, a palace (dating to the 10th–13th centuries), a church, a well, and a wine cellar containing 43 *kvevri* (large earthenware vessels). The Turks destroyed the latter in 1191; a new cellar, containing 28 *kvevri*, was subsequently built by Tbel Abuserisdze in the 1220s. Residential structures dating from the 17th and 18th centuries have also been discovered within the fortress grounds, along with remnants of a battle fought in 1815—specifically, cannonballs of three different calibers.
History:
The exact date of Khikhani Fortress's construction remains unknown, as there is no information regarding it in historical sources. Some scholars believe it was built between the 10th and 13th centuries. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that historical documents highlight the significant role played by Bagula—the wife of Tbel Abuserisdze—in the events surrounding the completion of the fortress's construction.
From the 11th to the 16th century, Khikhani Fortress served as the primary residence of the Abuserisdze family, the *Eristavt-Eristavi* (Grand Dukes) of Adjara. A prominent member of this lineage was the renowned 13th-century scholar Tbel Abuserisdze—a Georgian prose writer, hymnographer, scribe, and astronomer. The Abuserisdzes—the *Eristavt-Eristavi* of Khikhani (Adjara)—were a family closely allied with the royal court. They were a lineage that remained unfailingly loyal to the king, fighting alongside the monarch to strengthen a unified Georgia. In the first half of the 11th century, alongside Khikhani Fortress, the Abuserisdze family held three other important strongholds: Artanuji, Tsikhisjvari, and Atskuri Fortress.
In 1191, the fortress was seized by supporters of Guzan Abulasanisdze, who handed it over to the Turks. Acting on the orders of Queen Tamar and David Soslan, Abuser and Sanano Abuserisdze recaptured Khikhani from the enemy. During the Khwarezmian invasion, Tbel Abuserisdze oversaw the fortress's final major construction phase; he not only restored but also expanded the Church of St. George at Khikhani and the wine cellar, which had fallen into ruin. Following the Ottoman invasions of the 16th century, the fortress and the church were abandoned. Among the relics that survived from the church is a manuscript by Tbel Abuserisdze (A-85, dated 1233). In 1815, Selim Khimshiashvili, the Pasha of Akhaltsikhe, fortified himself within Khikhani Fortress; the Ottoman Empire dispatched an army of 15,000 troops against him, and the fortress fell on June 3. Selim Khimshiashvili was captured and beheaded by the Ottomans; however, his prophecy—that "Georgia would not remain in Ottoman hands forever"—soon came to pass, and in 1878, Adjara was returned to Georgia.
Legends and Tales:
According to local lore, Khikhani Fortress possessed numerous secret underground passages. These allowed those fortified within the stronghold to maintain contact with the outside world during blockades or other emergencies, connecting to the river (their water source), neighboring regions like Potskhovi and Samtskhe, Kvelis Tsikhe, and the monasteries of Zarzma and Skhalta.
Technical Information:
Khikhani Fortress attracts several thousand tourists annually. The 125-kilometer route from Batumi to the fortress is well-maintained and accessible by any type of vehicle. Only the final one-kilometer uphill stretch to the fortress itself must be traversed on foot; this path has recently undergone rehabilitation. The trail comprises a total of 254 steps and is quite steep, but 14 staircases of varying lengths have been installed in the most difficult sections to make the ascent significantly easier. However, a certain level of physical fitness is required for the journey, as the significant change in altitude affects the body. Along the path to the fortress, you will find benches, a gazebo, and viewing platforms offering beautiful, unforgettable vistas of the entire valley.
Important Recommendation!
When planning a visit to the fortress, please note that a section of the route runs close to the state border between Georgia and the Republic of Turkey. Therefore, you must contact the State Border Protection Service in advance and complete the necessary documentation to obtain permission to cross the border area.
State Border Protection Service — www.bpg.gov.ge
Recommended season: April–November
How to get there:
Batumi–Khikhadziri minibus; fare: 15 GEL.
Address: Batumi Old Bus Station, 1 Mayakovsky St.
