US allocates grant for restoration of Uplistsikhe cave town
Uplistsikhe, which translates to 'Fortress of the Lord', is an ancient rock-hewn town. Photo: Ancients Origins.
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Cultural Heritage Centre of Ilia State University has received the grant the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) for restoration of ancient cave town Uplistsikhe.
The project allocated approximately $200,000 to monitor the territory of the ancient stone town. Taking into consideration erosion processes, earthquakes and natural disasters, the specialists may find that the rocks are collapsing, and the project aims to conserve Uplistsikhe.
Uplistsikhe, which translates to 'Fortress of the Lord', is an ancient rock-hewn town which played a significant role in Georgian history over a period of approximately 3,000 years.
A ceremony for the commencement of the project was held in Uplistsikhe earlier today.
The presentation was attended by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Elizabeth Rood, Head of National Agency of Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia Nikoloz Antidze and Professor of Ilia State University Nino Doborjginidze.
The project is supported by National Agency of Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia and Italian Specialists.
The AFCP has allocated more than one million dollars to preserve and protect Georgia’s cultural heritages areas from 2001.
AFCP has implemented projects in different regions of Georgia, for example: ancient age of Armaztsikhe, restoration of Gelati monastery, the conservation of unique icons preserved in Svaneti Museum and other items.
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