How to Visit the Didgori Battle Memorial From Tbilisi

What is the Didgori Battle Memorial?

The Didgori Monument commemorates the Battle of Didgori on August 12, 1121. The closing chapter of the Georgian-Seljuk wars, this clash precipitated the reconquest of Tbilisi leading to Georgia’s liberation and reunification – and ultimately the ushering in of the country’s short-lived ‘Golden Age’.

King David the Builder led the military campaign. On a mission to liberate the Caucasus from Turko-Persian control, he raised an army of 5,000 horsemen and 56,000 soldiers to face the Seljuks who numbered somewhere between 100,000-400,000 men. David harnessed the element of surprise and took advantage of the steep terrain to defeat the enemy, leading to what Georgian historians dubbed “the miraculous victory”.

The Didgori monument immortalises this great skirmish. Constructed in the early 1990s on the battleground, it centres on a huge stone monument, a sword emblazoned with a lion. Huge crucifix-like metal swords plunged into the hillside represent the lives lost in the battle. In the meadows beyond, sculptures of disfigured warriors similar to those found at the war memorial in the city of Gori sit in solitude.

A set of bells and a plaque sit next to the stone cross. Below, at the foot of the stone stairs one must ascend to reach the top, there’s a small auditorium and several more sculptural elements, including a tower of bells and a bronze owl. 

Further down the road, a 30-metre-tall statue of David the Builder depicted raising his longhorn to summon his troops towers above the treeline.

The monuments at Didgori are spread over a vast area so you need at least a couple of hours to see everything plus visit the small St. George’s Church located nearby.

How to get to the Didgori Battle Memorial from Tbilisi

The memorial is located on the edge of Trialeti National Park in the middle of the hills. There is no regular marshrutka service to Didgori, so you’ll need a car to get there. The easiest option is to rent a car in Tbilisi and drive yourself.

It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the memorial from Tbilisi. There are two possible routes: Either through Tskneti and Manglisi (the southern route) or up and over via Mtskheta. Both take roughly the same amount of time.

The memorial road is brand new and SPECTACULAR. Honestly, driving up is half the fun. The road from the Manglisi side is 12km of perfectly paved, smooth highway that winds like a ribbon through the hills – it’s one of the most pleasant drives I’ve done anywhere in Georgia.

→ Rent a car in Tbilisi through my preferred partner, Local Rent.

If you want to visit Didgori at sunset like I did, then I highly recommend you spend the night nearby rather than driving back to Tbilisi in the dark. Manglisi is an obvious choice with a few solid guesthouse options. We stayed at Hotel Luka – simple rooms and great hospitality.

There are lots of other things to see and do in Kvemo Kartli region (see below). If you spend a night in Manglisi, you can make a trip of it and visit some of the monasteries, canyons and castles in the area.

If you don’t want to drive to Didgori, another option is to book a private transfer with GoTrip. Prices start from just 30 USD per car including pick and drop off at your address in Tbilisi.

→ Check prices on GoTrip

→ Read my GoTrip review for more details about this service

It’s also possible to visit Didgori as part of an organised day trip from Tbilisi. This itinerary with Friendly.ge includes the memorial as part of a longer tour through Kvemo Kartli, including Asureti (one of Georgia’s old German towns) and Tsalka (Dashbashi) Canyon.

If you’re interested in booking this day trip, use the code wanderlush to get a 10% discount off the price.

→ Check availability for your dates

Best time to visit Didgori

I visited Didgori in the first week of July. I wouldn’t normally visit a place like this in peak summer (it’s very exposed), but if you go in the early morning or the early evening, the light will be perfect.

One of the best things about going in late spring or summer is getting to see the incredible wildflowers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many blooms in Georgia; the hills were thick with yellow, lilac and pink blossoms, which only added to the atmosphere.

If you happen to be in Georgia on August 12, time your visit for the annual Didgoroba festival, a huge celebration that marks the anniversary of the battle with cultural and sporting events, folk music and a parade.

In winter, this whole area is under thick snow. A reader recently sent me photos from their winter visit – the landscape looks different but still very beautiful. If there’s enough snow, you can go sledding on the hill. Just make sure you have a suitable car and the right tires to tackle the icy roads.

Other things to do near Didgori

Kvemo Kartli region is a treasure trove of castles and canyons. I spent two days driving around this area and really enjoyed both the historical landmarks and the small towns. Here are a couple of highlights:

• Manglisi Holy Dormition Cathedral: 4th-century Orthodox monastery 30km from Didgori in the town of Manglisi.
• Birtvisi & Samshvilde Fortresses: Two of Georgia’s most important castles, each perched on a separate canyon wall south of Didgori.
• Asureti: One of Georgia’s old German villages that was settled in 1818. Visit for the half-timbered houses and the gorgeous restored Lutheran church.