Tskhireti fortress is considered a 10th-century structure, first mentioned in the sources in 1170. It was known as the summer residence of the kings of Kartli. In 1454 King Giorgi VIII of Kartli granted the fortress to the feudal lord Gamrekeli Javakhishvili. In 1609 the Ottomans tried to reach Tskhireti and seize King Luarsab II of Kartli, who was there, but the priest Tevdore led the enemy astray and Tskhireti escaped the Ottoman attack. In that period the fortress was granted to Giorgi Saakadze. In 1632 King Rostom of Kartli was stationed here, fighting the princely coalition led by the powerful lord Nodar Tsitsishvili. In 1652 he returned Tskhireti fortress to Giorgi Saakadze's son Ioram Saakadze.