Tbilisi is a city of strange architecture. Wherever you are in this city, just go back to the heights of this city to face the oldest structure of this historical city. There are many places to see in Georgia due to the country’s history and background. The Imam of Narikala Castle in Tbilisi is considered to be one of the places that is world famous and is considered as an attraction for traveling to this country alone.
According to tourism statistics, among all the sights of Tbilisi, Narikala Castle is the only historical place that no tourist leaves Tbilisi without seeing.
Narikala Castle can be seen from everywhere in the city of Tbilisi, and local people have a beautiful belief about this castle: “Life in Tbilisi flows under the shadow of Narikala Castle.” If you plan to travel to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, stay with Alibaba Tourism Magazine.
Where is Narikala Fort?
When to go to Narikala Fort?
Narikala Fort has no holidays and is free. You can visit the castle in any season and any day. The best season to visit the castle depends on your taste. Many tourists go to Tbilisi in spring and summer.
How to go to Narikala Fort?
To reach Narikala Castle, you can either walk up from Azadi Square in Old Tbilisi or take the glass cable cars from Eric Park.
How old is Narikala Fort?
The construction of the castle dates back to the Sassanid period, but it has been renovated and expanded many times until the 17th and 18th centuries.
Introduction of Narikala Fort
The Narikala Castle of Tbilisi was first built by the Sassanids and was used as a defensive fortress. Years later, the castle was enlarged by the Umayyads, the Mongols, the Ottomans, and the Georgians themselves, and new buildings were added to the original castle.
Photo from: 360Georgia site
Narikala or Narin Castle, which means small castle in Mongolian, is located on a rock in the Taburi mountain range and above the old city of Tbilisi. The botanical garden is located behind the castle and the dome roofs of the sulfur baths are located at the foot of the castle.
Photo from: Tacdn site
Where is Narikala Fort?
Narikala Castle is located in Tbilisi, Georgia. Wherever you are in the city of Tbilisi, Narikala Castle is visible on the horizon and stands out on the heights of the Tabori mountain range.
Location of Narikala Castle on Google Map
Access to Narikala Castle in Tbilisi
To see Narin Castle, you need to get to Tbilisi. To reach Tbilisi, you can take a direct flight from Tehran to Tbilisi. If you want to get to Tbilisi more economically and by land, you can also use the buses that go directly from Tehran to Tbilisi, or travel this route with a private car.
Photo from: Almosafer site
To travel by private car, there are three routes that we have listed below:
Türkiye: reach the Turkish border and enter Georgia from Trabzon.
Armenia: Cross the Nordoz border into Armenia, then head to Georgia from Yerevan.
Azerbaijan: On this route, you must first go to Baku and then to Tbilisi.
Once you arrive in beautiful Tbilisi, there are two routes to visit Narikala. The first way is to walk from Azadi Square, which is one of the most beautiful areas in Old Tbilisi, to Narikala; But if you don’t plan to walk, there is another attractive route: the cable car.
Photo from: Advisor site
You can ride the glass cable cars from Rike Park, which is a sports and entertainment complex, and watch the scenery from above along the way.
Best time to visit Narikala Fort
The season of travel to Tbilisi completely depends on your taste. Narikala Fort is beautiful and spectacular in all seasons. Spring in Georgia is a little cooler than in Iran, but it has hot summers. In autumn, the weather will be mild and cool, and in winter, the weather will be relatively cold and accompanied by rain. If you are a fan of festivals, hustle and bustle, and water fun, we suggest you to travel in the summer season.
Photo from: Amazonaws site
Since Georgia has been part of Iran’s territory for many years and we have a close culture, in spring you can travel to Tbilisi and participate in spring festivals and Nowruz celebrations. If you are looking for a quiet season with great weather to visit Narikala Fort, then the best time to visit is autumn.
Photo from: Humbo site
Narikala fort working hours
Narikala or Narin Castle is open 24 hours a day. If you go to this castle by cable car, you have to pay the cable car fee at the park.
History of Narikala Fort
As we mentioned above, Narikala was built by the Sassanid government with Iranian architecture. This castle, which overlooks the Matkvari River, was built as a fortress in that era to defend the city.
In the past, Narin Castle was called Shuris-tsikhe, which means Rival Castle or Castle of Envy. But most of the current walls of the castle date back to the 8th century, when the Arabs were in this city. Arab princes built towers for themselves inside the castle and called this complex the Mother Castle.
Photo from: AustriaForum website
In different periods, when other governments came to power, constructions were made in this castle, and most of what can be seen from the castle today is related to the reconstructions of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1827, parts of Narin Castle were destroyed by an earthquake.
Photo from: Wikimedia site
Architecture of Narikala Fort
Narikala was built in the heights of Tbilisi city and in the Tabori mountain range. This castle is located between Tbilisi Botanical Garden and Sulfur Baths. Since this building was originally built to defend the city, the architecture of Iranian citadels is evident in it. With equal distances, guard rooms were built and this system was maintained in subsequent constructions and renovations.
Photo from: Georgia site
In the heart of this castle, there is St. Nicholas Church. St. Nicholas Church was built in 1990 to replace the previous 12th century church that was destroyed by fire; But they used old bells for this church.
During the renovations, some tablets and ancient works related to the church and the castle were found, which are kept in the museum.
Photo from: Photohound site
Places to visit near Narikala Fort
If you visit this historical castle, it’s not bad to take a look at the sights around it.
– Church of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas Church is located in the center of the green space of the church; A small and very beautiful church that you must visit. This church is open from 11 am to 6 pm. It should be noted that to enter this church, you must cover your knees and shoulders, and it is mandatory for women to wear a headscarf. Photography inside the church is also prohibited.
Photo from: Tacdn site
Mother statue
The statue of the Mother of Georgia is one of the series of statues that were built in Georgia, Armenia, etc. during the Soviet Union. This 20-meter statue was built in 1958 and was originally made of wood. Years later, they rebuilt the mother statue with aluminum. To see this statue, just go 500 meters to the west and enjoy the view of the city.
Photo from: Georgiantravelguide website
– St. George Church
At a distance of 80 meters from the castle, there is a beautiful brick church. This building dates back to the 13th century and the outer walls are decorated with plaster. Inside this church, you can see four large murals with the titles “Christ in the Garden”, “Judas’ Repentance”, “Christ and the Boatmen” and “Harvest Time”. These paintings were drawn during the renovations of the 18th century.
Photo from: Wikimedia site
– National Botanical Garden of Georgia
The National Botanical Garden of Georgia is one of the must-see places in Tbilisi. Exotic species of native trees and plants, ornamental, medicinal, greenhouses and orangeries are some of the delightful parts of the botanical garden. To reach the botanical garden, just walk a few tens of meters away from the mother statue to see one of its entrances.
Photo from: Visitwalesimages website
If you go directly to the garden from the castle, move to the right from the main gate of the castle; About 200 meters away, there is another entrance to the garden. This garden is open to tourists every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and you need to get a ticket to visit.
– Grand Mosque of Tbilisi
One of the most spectacular buildings in the city of Tbilisi is the Grand Mosque of this city. This mosque, which is only 400 meters away from Narikala, is a reminder of the friendly relationship and peaceful life of Muslims and Christians in Georgia. The exterior architectural style of the mosque is very similar to Iranian-Islamic architecture and its interior architecture is similar to Turkish Islamic architecture.
Photo from: Advantour site
In simple words, you see a combination of several artistic styles in architecture by looking at a unique building. This mosque was built during the Ottoman rule.
Sulfur baths of Tbilisi
In Old Tbilisi, there are hot springs that provide water for sulfur baths. Right between Narikala and the statue, at the foot of the castle, you can see the sulfur baths of Tbilisi. According to the general public, the water of these baths has healing properties and is useful for diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis and skin problems.
Stay near Narikala Fort
Since Tbilisi is a tourist city, you can easily book hotels, hostels and accommodations for your stay. One of your best choices can be The House Hotel Old Tbilisi, a dreamy accommodation in a native hotel in the heart of Old Tbilisi. In the following, we list 5 of the best hotels in Tbilisi that are close to Narikala. These hotels have been selected according to the points of travelers.
- Citadel Narikala Hotel
- Sandali Metekhi Boutique
- Galaktioni 22
- Graf Hotel
- Hotel Flower
Photo from: Booking site
In Georgia, like any other country, there are special rules for camping. There are designated places to camp and you can stay in the heart of nature.
Necessary equipment for traveling to Narikala Fort
If you are going to the castle by car, you can park your car in public parking lots around Azadi Square. Eric Park also has a parking lot. Be aware that the castle is located in the heights and the walking path is not smooth at all; As a result, it is obligatory to wear appropriate shoes.
Photo from: Georgiaabout site
The castle space is completely open; So don’t forget sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. As mentioned above, if you plan to visit St. George’s Church, you should dress up and ladies should bring a headscarf. If you forget, in front of the entrance of the church you can use the scarves that the church has placed for visitors to use.
The route is not very suitable for people in wheelchairs or crutches. It is suggested that disabled people or mothers with a baby in a stroller take the cable car to the top of the mountain.
From the top of the castle, a unique view of the surrounding nature can be seen; Do not forget the camera.
Photo from: Wendywutours website
Tips for visiting Narikala Fort
Narikala is an important part of the identity of the city of Tbilisi and the history of Georgia. This landmark is open to tourists on all days, even holidays, and there is no entrance fee. Not only the castle, but the scenery around it is also very spectacular, for this reason, set aside one morning to evening for it in planning your trip.
If you plan to visit the two churches of St. Nicholas and St. George, it is better to go up before 5 pm.
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