Birtwissi - Birtwissi

Birtwissi (ბირთვისი, engl. Birtvisi) is a former medieval fortress in the district (Raion) Tetrizkaro in the region Kwemo Kartli. With its extensive narrow gorges and rock faces, the area can only be reached on foot and is a popular destination for campers and climbers.

background

Birtwissi is an approximately 1 km² large natural fortress, which extends over numerous narrow gorges and canyons, towers and walls were built on the rocky hills.

Birtwissi was first mentioned as a property of the Emir of Tbilisi in 1083. In the Middle Ages, the city was a practically impregnable fortress that protected the strategic Algeti Gorge. Nevertheless, it was captured by Turkish and Mongolian invaders in 1403. After that, the importance of Birtwissi declined.

getting there

Birtwissi can only be reached on foot via narrow hiking trails, access to the core area takes about 2 hours in each direction and is not too difficult, but hiking shoes and a sure footing are recommended. If you want to explore the area more comprehensively, you should plan at least one overnight stay.

The most important access points where you can park your car are:

• from the locality of Tbisi
• from the village of Amlewi

If you do not have your own car, it is advisable to have a marshrutka from Tbilisi to Tetrizkaro and get off in Parzchissi.

In the course of a multi-day hiking tour, you can go from Tbilisi, Assureti or Manglissi come to Birtwissi, even hikes up to Rkoni are possible.

mobility

You can only get around on foot. If you stay down in the gorges, there are hardly any major differences in altitude to be overcome. If you want to climb the mountains with the remains of the towers, a little climbing is definitely in order.

Tourist Attractions

Numerous old walls and towers, the largest tower, Scheupowari, is on the highest rock in the area. There are also remains of other infrastructure such as tunnels and aqueducts, and the views from the rocks and the numerous different rock formations are among Birtwissi's top attractions

activities

• Climbing and hiking. There are several climbing routes in Birtwissi [1]but you can explore an infinite number of new routes yourself.last change: not specified

• Camping with a campfirelast change: not specified

Catering and accommodation

In Birtwissi itself there are neither shops nor accommodation providers. There are also no shelters or shelters. You should therefore bring all the necessary groceries with you. We also recommend a tent and sleeping bag with a sleeping mat, but rocks sometimes offer natural shelters.

camping: In the south of the area, by the access road from Tbisi, there is a large meadow, where numerous groups pitch their camp in summer. It can get louder there at night - Georgians like to sing. If you go a little further into the gorges, you will also find quieter places.

Drinking water: There are numerous natural springs to drink from. In order to save weight, it is therefore advisable to only bring as much water with you as you need for the access route. The empty containers should be kept in order to refill them at the sources. You can also bring an empty large mineral water canister with you for this purpose, as you can get in shops.

Food: For longer stays, we recommend a strategic reserve of non-perishable dishes such as biscuits, bananas and long-life sausages. Grilled food can be prepared on the campfire. Even a small pot for making coffee can't do any harm; Dissolving coffee or Turkish coffee are ideal. Alcohol is also popular in Georgia, it is advisable to socialize with other campers, high-proof, so that you can transport as much alcohol as possible with as little weight as possible.

security

• Risk of falling on the rocks
• The canyons are sometimes only episodically water-bearing. Even if they are dry, sudden heavy rain can turn them into raging rivers in minutes. You should keep this in mind when setting up your tent so as not to be washed away at night. Put up the tent where there is grass and no gravel!
• Don't forget sun protection.
• In Birtwissi there are a few poisonous snakes, be careful in the undergrowth. It is best to kick hard or hit in front of you with a stick so the snakes can escape.
• Be careful around campfires so that you don't cause a forest fire.

Practical advice

Hikers in Birtwissi help each other, greet each other and it also happens that campers come to other campers "on a visit" and always bring something with them (mostly alcohol). A spontaneous song, usually a polyphonic folk song, is then happy to join in. Foreigners are welcomed in a friendly manner and those who speak foreign languages ​​will be happy to use them to communicate. It is advisable to break a few chunks in Georgian or Russian.

It is not uncommon for campers to leave their unused and non-perishable food in clearly visible places so that the next group can find and use it (e.g. vodka), usually with a handwritten greeting.

Garbage is usually taken away or burned. The drinking water sources are kept clean and the necessities are relieved far away from them.

trips

• Hike on to the Algeti National Park or over Assureti to Tbilisi
• South of Birtwissi is the Algeti reservoir (not suitable for swimming) and the Gudarechi monastery.

literature

Web links

• Georgian Tourism Association: Photo Gallery [2]