The Dariali complex lies in Kazbegi municipality, in historical Khevi, 20 km north of Stepantsminda, on the left bank of the Tergi River by the last stretch of the Georgian Military Road, on a rocky mountain. It is also called Tamar's fortress, and on the rock behind the fortress the face of Queen Tamar is carved. In the ruins, construction layers of various periods (2nd century BC – 18th century AD) can be distinguished, mainly of antiquity and the early feudal era. The Dariali fortress barred the trade and strategic road coming down the valley from the north.