“Didgori Battle Memorial is probably one of the most unique, impressive and dramatic places you would ever see in Georgia”.
One of the tourist attractions that took my breath away when I was in Georgia was the Didgori Battle Memorial, or, let’s say, the Swords Mountain, with its stunning view up the hill. The monument itself is an absolute work of art, unfolding Georgia’s historical event of heroic arc, leading to what Georgian historians dubbed “the miraculous victory”. It is a place that should not be missed when visiting this Country. Truly a wonder to behold! Georgia really has a lot of diverse destinations and otherworldly landscapes that will captivate your whole being.
About Didgori Battle Memorial-Swords Mountain
Didgori Monument is a site that commemorates the battle victory by the Georgian king David IV also known as David the builder over the Seljuk armies on August 12, 1121. This historical event was considered by many as one of the most impressive victories in the world’s history. It is situated 40 km west of Tbilisi in the eastern part of the trialeti range, that is part of lesser Caucasus Mountains.
In the early 1990s, this impressive monument was built at the site of the battle, consisting of dozens of gigantic swords stuck in the ground and standing proudly on a hill in an open area. A colossal sculpture of dismembered bodies of warriors was also scattered in the meadows, lastly a massive concrete column in the shape of a ‘deda bodzi’, the central column in medieval Georgian dwellings.
Today, people gather at this site every 12th of August to celebrate “Didgoroba,” celebrating the historic event and its prevailing significance.
How to get to Didgori Battle Memorial?
Travel time from Tbilisi going to Didgori battle memorial is about an hour and a half.
Unfortunately, there is no regular Bus/Marshrutka service traveling to this area. Below are some of the options you can choose.
Option 1: DIY: Drive using your personal car. Otherwise, use the public transportation by booking a taxi directly going to this place. Though, I don’t recommend booking a taxi, because it might be expensive and finding one might be difficult also since it’s on mountain side.
Option 2: Rent a Car in Tbilisi, Georgia. The vehicle rental starts around 20 USD per day for economy class. This vary depends on the type of car you will select. This option is great if you are planning to explore many places in Georgia and would like to travel at your own pace and time. This is also an excellent option for a group, just ensure that at least one or two of you have driver license that is accredited in Georgia.
Note: There are two possible routes going to this place which takes roughly the same amount of time: You can choose either through Tskneti and Manglisi (the southern route) or up and over via Mtskheta. If unsure, Use Google Maps for route guide.
Option 3: Tour with Transfer: For convenience, join a day trip from Tbilisi available in any travel agency tours offering this experience to reduce your cost. It is by far the easiest way to travel to Didgori Mountain. Highly recommended especially for someone who is traveling alone and would like to join a group tour.
If you are curious, I book my tour in G7 Euro Travel & Tours or known in Filipino community as Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia, highly recommended. Their tour package is well organized, so I can confidently say that they are one of the best Travel & Tour agency providers in Georgia. One more advantage is that they pick you up and drop in your hotel, so no hustle.
By the way, not all package tours have a side trip to Didgori Battle Memorial, with few tours’ agency offers this bundled with Diamond Glass & Dashbashi Canyon, one of this is G7 Euro Travel & Tours.
If you plan to book here, you can use my code: “LAN Wandered with G7 Kabayans in Georgia & Armenia
And get 3% to 20 % discount depending on length of stay or number of people booking at same time. You can message their FB page: Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia or their whatsapp number +995579128007.
3 Steps to avail discount:
- Mention the code above when booking.
- Screenshot this blog where you read my article.
- Simply like their Facebook Page: Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia
When is the best time to visit this Historical Place?
Depending on your availability, Didgori Battle Memorial is impeccable either in spring, summer, autumn or winter. In my case, I visited this place in the autumn (end of September) because I wanted to experience colorful vibes. Fortunately, some tree leaves were already yellow at that time, and the temperature was also cold, around 8 Degree. If you want a more reddish autumn vibe, it’s better to visit in the 2nd or 3rd week of October. During Springtime, flowers are blooming in this mountain, so it is also a good time to wander in this amazing place. In winter, Didgori is totally different; it looks mysterious and magical. If you plan to visit during this season, be cautious of the road conditions and make sure you have the right vehicle for traveling in the winter.
Below is the months season in Georgia for reference:
- Spring: March to May
- Summer: June to August
- Autumn: September to November
- Winter: December to February
Where to stay?
If you plan to visit different places in Georgia, booking and staying in Tbilisi is the best option since this is the center and capital of the country. From there, you can drive or join a day trip going to Didgori Battle Memorial.
You can check booking.com or Agoda.com for your hotel accommodation option.
My Experience
When I was planning my tour to Georgia, I was unaware that there is a place like Didgori Battle Memorial in Georgia. Fortunately, when G7 Euro Travel sent me the tour options, along with the Diamond Glass Bridge in Dasbashi, Didgori Mountain was partnered with it. It was a good call to me to join this tour as this place did not disappoint me, it was everything I hope for. It was the first tourist spot we visited in the morning from Tbilisi prior to Dasbashi Canyon. The temperature when we arrived here was around 8 Degree, so it’s really cold up there. The whole mountain is mesmerizing. The location is superb, and the atmosphere feels dramatic. Who would ever though that there are massive swords stuck on the ground and standing firm up the hill. It’s like I am in an adventure and heroic movie setting like what you imagined it to be.
Travel Tips when planning to visit Didgori Batle Memorial.
Here are some tips you should consider when heading to this historical place.
- Visit in the morning to avoid crowd especially in summer which is a peak season in Georgia
- If you are traveling solo, bring your own selfie stick stand to capture solo video and photos.
- Be updated of the weather forecast before traveling to this place.
- Be a responsible traveler and help Didgori Battle Memorial clean.
- Take only memories, leave only footprints.
Budget when travelling to sword mountain
In case of joining a group package tour from Tbilisi, expect a cost around 35 to 40 USD each person depends on the package included. You also have an option to do private tour for 100 USD with driver only and around 120 USD with tour guide if you like. Just allocate extra money for your food.
Essential things to bring
- Money in Cash (Georgian Lari)
- Comfortable shoes depends on the season you will visit
- Sunscreen for summer season
- Bottle of water
- Sun glass
- Light Snacks
- Cap for head & face sun protection
- Jacket applicable for summer or winter depends on season
- Power bank
So, have you been to Didgori Mountain? Please share your thoughts, I would like to know your experience.
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