Our traditional Friday school trip took us there and the guide told us and showed us the history of the place. One of the most amazing things was the building itself. Most of it is actually authentic and just some parts are reconstructed by conservationists.

 

Just think about the masonry - these same stones were laid and hand carved by our ancestors several hundred years ago. The ancient icons, in front of which generals, kings and emperors prayed, now keep only remnants of their past glory. And the church on top of the fortress is still operational - sermons are held on big occasions and you can still hear its heavy brass bell toll mournfully from the lonely mountain top, as if telling us its centuries old story.