| Kolagiri Fortress | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Georgia |
| Condition | Ruins |
 | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 18th century AD |
TheKolagiri fortress (Georgian:ქოლაგირის ციხე), is a building of the feudal age (late 18th century), near thedaba (borough)Tamarisi,Bolnisi Municipality (Kvemo Kartliregion).
The fortress was built between 1788-1798 by order of the wife of KingHeraclius II,Darejan of theHouse of Dadiani.[1] In 1801 Darejan wrote to herself: "Build a great fortress and the castle wall". It was the last of its kind in theKingdom of Kartli-Kakheti. The Kolagiri fortress served as an outpost for Tbilisi and was a hiding place for the surrounding population during Ottoman or Persian raids. At the beginning of the 19th century, the fortress lost its defensive value and was used for some time as a prison.
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The plan of the fort is square with an area of 2000 m². It was built of stone and the bricks were used to decorate the towers and entrances. The 6 m high wall is thicker on the first floor. The towers have four floors, in which the first three were warehouses for weapons, food, and ammunition. Currently the center of the fortress has one active building: the Church and Nunnery of QueenKetevan the Martyr.
The fort is located just 500 metres (0.31 mi) south from theS6 highwayMarneuli -Bolnisi atTamarisi, at the end ofSh156.
41°28′00″N44°42′48″E / 41.4667°N 44.7134°E /41.4667; 44.7134