Georgian Military Road

The Georgian Military Road, also known as the Georgian Military Highway, is the historic route of a main road across the Caucasus from Georgia to Russia and passes through the Stpantsminda region. Crossing the 2,379-metre-high Dschwari Pass takes you to the highest point of the route.

The 212-kilometre route between Tbilisi in Georgia and Vladikavkaz in Russia offers not only breathtaking landscapes but also deep insights into the history of the region and is one of the top ten attractions in the country. Travellers on this road are taking a route that has been used for centuries by conquerors, traders and travellers.

History

Georgian Military Highway has its roots in antiquity and was mentioned in the writings of prominent historians such as Strabo and Pliny the Elder.

In 1769, Russian troops began using the road, and in 1799, the modernised form of the military road was built by the Russian military. This happened at a time when Georgia was concluding a treaty with Russia, becoming a Russian protectorate, and was illegally conquered by the Russian Empire shortly thereafter.

General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov had the road expanded in the 19th century to improve military traffic and communication. Today, more than 200 years later, the engineering skills that went into building the road can be seen in the well-constructed bridges and road surface.

The modern

The Georgian Military Road is still of great regional importance. Its importance has declined at times due to natural disasters and political tensions between Georgia and Russia. The closure of the border crossing in 2006 brought additional challenges. However, since the border crossing was reopened in 2013, the road has once again become an important connection, particularly for freight traffic between Armenia and Russia.

The Georgian Military Road is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world and plays an important role in tourism in Georgia. The journey itself is an unforgettable experience, as guests have the opportunity to see and enjoy the unique landscapes of the Greater Caucasus. There are many places that invite you to stop and take pictures. Here are the most important ones.

• The Jinvali Dam was built in the 80s and is now like a large, beautiful lake in the mountains.
• The arch of ‘Friendship’ was built in the 80s and represents 200 years of friendship between Georgia and Russia. Although the monument has a strong Soviet propaganda character, it is well worth seeing thanks to its beautiful colours and figures. At the same time, you can also use it as a viewing platform and enjoy beautiful views.
• The Jvari Pass is the highest point of the route and offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes and mountains. There is also a photo of German prisoners of war who did forced labour on the road.
• The highlight is the small town of Stepantsminda, where Mount Mkinvari and the Trinity Church are enthroned majestically. The view is a symbol of the beauty of Georgia.
• The route ends in Georgia in the Dariali Gorge with a monastery on the border with Russia, which is eagerly awaited.

The Georgian Military Road is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the colours are at their most vibrant. We have put together a special photo tour programme for this time of year: ‘Golden Autumn in Georgia’. However, this is not the only trip to include this beautiful destination in Georgia: there is also a 14-day round trip and a classic 14-day photo tour.

Please note: the road is often full of lorries and traffic jams are common.