Kvareli Fortress Football Pitch

The Kvareli fortress was built between the 17th and 19th centuries, renovated in the 80s and awarded as cultural heritage in 2018. It would just be one of several fortresses in Georgia if it weren’t for the unusual modern-day use. It is (or better was till 2017) the home pitch of the local football club FC Duruji Kvareli, which played two years in the first division of Georgia before falling down till the 5th league and being suspended in 2017.  

But still, the football field is used by other teams of Kvareli, so visitors can be lucky to catch a football game inside of strong brick fortress walls—special atmosphere guaranteed!

Before it was used for soccer, Kvareli fortress was most notable for its role in the war of 1755, when 20,000 Avar soldiers attacked Kakheti in hopes of seizing the fortress. But the thick walls of the fortress and the Georgian soldiers manning its battlements were able to hold off the attack.