18th century family tower in Georgia's east undergoes rehabilitation
A view of the Tushmalishvili family tower in Martkopi before and after the rehabilitation work. Photos via National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.
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An 18th century family tower in the Gardabani Municipality village of Martkopi in Georgia's east has been safeguarded for the foreseeable future after undergoing rehabilitation work eliminating damage accumulated over time.
The Tushmalishvili family tower, a partially collapsed construction that had fallen into disrepair through neglect, with its interior walls vandalised with names spray-painted by visitors, can now be seen standing with structural integrity and attachments for preserving it against adverse weather.
Licensed and monitored by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia and supported by Cartu Fund, the work on the monument involved removing a layer of damaged stones and replacing it, setting up roofing and stairs on the second and third storeys, and reinforcing the roof of the entrance door on the first.
Cracks in parts of the construction were filled with relevant material by workers involved in the effort, with wooden constructions holding up the roof subjected to treatment with fire-resistant and antiseptic solutions.
Rainwater drain pipes were installed to safeguard the building from precipitation, while merions at the top of the tower were reinforced, and wall surfaces were subjected to lime treatment.
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