We had left Stepantsminda in the morning, to make the three hour drive to Tbilisi. Sure enough the drive was split up with some visits on the way.

The first stop did come early and before the Jvari pass – a short one at a war cemetery. As we crossed the pass and got to the other side of the mountain range, the weather had turned – blue skies (with some clouds) and sunshine.

We continued to the Ananuri Fortress Complex (ანანურის ციხის კომპლექსი). The fortress dates back to the 13th century. Given its location right next to the military highway, the fortress was the scene of many battles over the centuries. The castle grounds include two churches, the smaller Church of the Virgin built in the first half of the 17th century – and the larger Church of the Mother God built in the second half of that century.