Liakhvi Strict Nature Reserve

Liakhvi Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area in the historic region Shida Kartli on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus range in the northeastern part of Tskhinvali District and in Akhalgori Municipality of Georgia.
Reserve main goal is protecting flora and fauna in surrounding mountainous region.
In general Patara Liakhvi gorge has many tourist attractions : ethnological, bird-watching and botanical.

Historically this area is known as Shida Kartli and also as Dvaleti and Samachablo, and during Soviet period as South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.
People inhabited this territory from prehistoric times as testify Neolithic and Eneolithic monuments in Liakhvi gorge and surrounding areas. Remains of primitive man dwellings were excavated in Java District. Among these archeological discoveries most famous is Akhalgori treasure found in Ksani gorge. Akhalgori treasure is a crypt of a young noble woman, which hasn't been disturbed and was found full of adornments, ritual dishes and horse decoration. Crypt dates back to 5th - 4th century BC.
Remains of cyclops fortresses are still visible in this region.
In the Liakhvi gorge and it surroundings there are many early Christian monuments, such as the Nikozi basilica of the 5th century, Ksani’s Armazi and Tsirkoli church built by Leon III in the 10th century, Ikorta church of the 12th century, Tiri monastery, and Largvisi residence of the Ksani nobles, with fortress and domed church of the 14th century and Dzalini castle of the 17th century.
Due to ethnic conflict and war the reserve has been unattended for a long time. In 2009 Russia backed Government of South Ossetia attempted to reestablish the conservation efforts and clarify protected area boundaries of Liakhvi State Reserve , but due to lack of funds this plan didn't succeed. Georgia based Provisional Administration of South Ossetia is also concerned with preservation of Liakhvi Strict Nature Reserve.

Wikipedia