522–534 AD: The King of Ujarma and the Official Transfer to Tbilisi

King Dachi (often called Dachi Ujarmeli because of his residence in Ujarma) had the impossible task of following a legend. He was the eldest son of Vakhtang Gorgasali. While he lacked his father’s mythical stature, he possessed a quiet determination to finish what Vakhtang started.

His reign is defined by one singular, historic act: the fulfillment of his father’s dying wish to move the capital of Georgia.

The Birth of a Capital

Vakhtang had discovered the springs of Tbilisi, but it was Dachi who turned the settlement into a city. He officially transferred the royal residence from the ancient capital of Mtskheta to Tbilisi. This was a strategic shift. Mtskheta was vulnerable in the open valley; Tbilisi, surrounded by hills and the river, was a fortress.

Dachi oversaw the construction of the defensive walls of the citadel (Narikala) and expanded the city limits. He invited merchants and artisans to settle there, transforming it from a royal hunting ground into a bustling political center.

The Anchiskhati Basilica

Dachi was also a pious builder. He is credited with completing the Anchiskhati Basilica (St. Mary’s Church) in Tbilisi. This church still stands today in the Old Town. It is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, a direct physical link to Dachi’s reign. Walking into its cool, stone interior is walking back into the 6th century.

Dachi also tried to maintain peace with Persia, paying a small tribute to avoid the devastating wars that had killed his father. He died in 534 AD, leaving behind a new capital that would serve as the heart of Georgia for the next 1,500 years.

Tourism Guide: Dachi’s City

  1. Anchiskhati Basilica: Located on Shavteli Street in Old Tbilisi. It is a must-see. The heavy stone arches and ancient frescoes breathe the history of Dachi’s time.
  2. Narikala Fortress: While expanded by Arabs and Mongols later, the core foundations of the citadel were strengthened by Dachi when he moved the court here.