Ananuri Fortress (Georgian ანანურის ციხე) is located in Georgia on the Georgian Military Highway, 70 km from Tbilisi, where the small river Vedzatkhevi flows into the Aragvi. Ananuri served as the main stronghold for the Aragvi eristavis, the rulers of this region. The fortress arose in the 16th century and over the next two centuries served as the northern outpost of the defense of Transcaucasia, blocking the road leading from the Darial Gorge.