Protection and conservation of Georgian rupestrian cultural heritage sites: A review

Many of the Georgian cultural heritage sites consist of rupestrian monastic complexes constructed between the sixth and the 12th centuries of exceptional universal value from a historical, cultural, and natural point of view. Many of them are affected by hydrogeological problems and require the planning of an effective risk mitigation strategy. This planning would help not only to preserve invaluable cultural heritage sites but also to enhance Georgia as an important tourist destination and improve the local economy. This paper aims to show an overview on the last decade’s activities coordinated by the National Agency for the Preservation of Georgian Cultural Heritage (NAGPCH) for the conservation of Georgian cultural heritage, thanks to the collaboration between national and international centers of research.