The Secret Cave City Revealed by an Earthquake: 5 Most Mysterious Ancient Underground Cities

Located about 30 kilometers from Aspindza on the slopes of Erusheti Mountain in Georgia, Vardzia stands exposed as a striking example of cave architecture, embodying the nation’s deep history through its rock-cut structures. The origins of Vardzia date back to the 12th century when Georgia flourished under the rule of King Giorgi the Third. However, the true expansion of this cave city began under the reign of his daughter, Queen Tamar. Intended as a fortress to safeguard against the constant threat of Mongol invasions, Vardzia rapidly evolved into something far greater - a self-contained monastic settlement, a center of culture and learning, and a symbol of Georgian resilience. Carved into the side of a cliff, over 1,300 meters above sea level, Vardzia stretches over half a kilometer and rises up to nineteen tiers. It once boasted over 6,000 apartments with 2,000 resident monks, a throne room, and a large church named the Church of the Dormition, adorned with exquisite frescoes.