In the High Middle Ages, Pankisi fortress was the center of the duchy of Pankisi, founded by Kvirike III the Great, king of Kakheti (1010–1037); the fortress itself was probably built earlier. In 1040 Bagrat IV took the fortress during his campaign in Kakheti and captured Stepanoz son of Varjan, the eristavi of Pankisi. Pankisi fortress remained one of the centers of the wars between the central authority and the kings of Kakheti-Hereti; from here Bagrat IV fought Aghsartan I, king of Kakheti-Hereti. In the 1240s the eristavi of Pankisi, Torghva Pankeli, carried out great building works in the fortress. While King David VII Ulu was at the Horde, Torghva declared himself absolute ruler of Kakheti and fortified himself in Pankisi fortress; even after David's return he did not present himself to the king, but strengthened the fortress further.