The fortress is known from early modern historical records under the name of Mtkvari (archaically, Mtkuri) or Mtveri, but it is popularly and commonly known as Ksani.
It was built by Prince Bagrat, who scrounged from his elder brother, King David X of Kartli, the district of Mukhrani and carved himself out a principality.
The fortress immediately became a target of the neighboring Georgian ruler George II of Kakheti, who laid a siege to Ksani.
According to one account, after a three-month-long standoff, George mockingly sent fresh wine to Bagrat, thinking the defenders were starving.
When, in return, he received a live salmon from the castle pond, George concluded that the siege was futile and withdrew.
The conflict endured and in 1513 Bagrat succeeded in seizing George and making him prisoner at the Ksani fortress.
The fortress remained in possession of the house of Mukhrani, founded by Bagrat, but gradually fell to ruin.
In 1746, Constantine III, Prince of Mukhrani, rebuilt it and placed a commemorative inscription above the gate.
The fortress is known from early modern historical records under the name of Mtkvari (archaically, Mtkuri) or Mtveri, but it is popularly and commonly known as Ksani. It was built by Prince Bagrat, who scrounged from his elder brother, King David X of Kartli, the district of Mukhrani and carved himself out a principality. The fortress immediately became a target of the neighboring Georgian ruler George II of Kakheti, who laid a siege to Ksani. According to one account, after a three-month-long standoff, George mockingly sent fresh wine to Bagrat, thinking the defenders were starving. When, in return, he received a live salmon from the castle pond, George concluded that the siege was futile and withdrew. The conflict endured and in 1513 Bagrat succeeded in seizing George and making him prisoner at the Ksani fortress. The fortress remained in possession of the house of Mukhrani, founded by Bagrat, but gradually fell to ruin. In 1746, Constantine III, Prince of Mukhrani, rebuilt it and placed a commemorative inscription above the gate.
Ksani fortress