Tortomi

Tortomi, a province in the southwestern part of historical Georgia (currently within the territory of Turkey). Its center was the Tortomi Fortress (of which only ruins remain on the middle reaches of the Tortomi River).

Tortomi was part of the historical Tao region. Ecclesiastically, it was subordinate to the Bishop of Ishkhani. Powerful centers of Georgian culture were located here, most notably the Oshki and Khakhuli monasteries.

Due to its geographic location, Tortomi was one of the first regions forced to repel enemy offensives invading from the south. In the 13th century, the Eristavi of Tao, Taka Panaskerteli, defeated nomadic Turkic tribes near the Tortomi Fortress.

Subsequently, Tortomi was incorporated into Samtskhe-Saatabago. In the 16th century, along with other territories of Georgia, it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

Sources: ვახუშტი, აღწერა სამეფოსა საქართველოსა, წგ.: ქართლის ცხოვრება, ს. ყაუხჩიშვილის გამოც., ტ. 4, თბ., 1973.

D. Muskhelishvili