Stadiums of Georgia (3/?) - Old Fortress Stadium, Qvareli, 9.7.2015

On Thursday, July 9th 2015, we planned to wander through Kakheti region, famous for its wineries, with old Gremi castle, Iqalto medieval academy and Alaverdi Cathedral being the main points on our route. And - of course - a stadium in **Qvareli**, the first one, which was indeed planned and desired to be visited. Why? I guess, after seeing photos, you'll have no doubts about it :)

One of the most recognizable places in the centre of Qvareli - that's its fortress. It dates back to 16th century, and it was in use till at least 18th century. As you can see, the walls are well preserved and look really solid! Although the modern lamps spoil the view a little ;)

See the length of the walls and the size of the towers, located in every corner of the castle!

These are really big and mighty, when you look at them from the close distance.

But hey, there's a gate in the wall. Also big and impressive, probably some 4-5 meter high.

When we look closer, we realise that it's locked. But still we have some chance to look inside...

Ta-da! There's a full-sized football field inside!

When the match is played, the spectators are standing or sitting at the walls and support their team!

Unfortunately, during our stay, there was a inter-season break in the league, and no matches were played from mid-June to mid-September. Therefore everything was closed, and there was no possibility of sneaking inside to make better photos. Definitely it's one of the places I want to visit again and support local team when it's revived in the senior football!

And now some football history from Kvareli:
The local team, named Duruji (after the river nearby) has been founded most probably in the 1940s, and played during that time in the GSSR Second League. In the 1950s the team is reported to play mostly in the GSSR Third League. In 1961 it has appeared in the GSSR Highest League for the first time. The team in the Soviet times has never got promoted to the inter-republican level. Their record looks like that:
GSSR Highest League: 1961-1963, 1967-1969, 1975-1978, 1981-1989
GSSR Second Level (incomplete): 1956, 1958-1960, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1979-1980.
Seasons missing: 1940-1955, 1957, 1965-1966, 1971-1973
The best result: 4th place in the GSSR Highest League in 1967.

In the independent Georgia the team was among the best in the country for a short time only:
Georgian Highest League: 1994/5-1995/6
Georgian First League: 1990-1993/4, 1996/7, 1998/9-1999/2000 as FC Qvareli
Georgian Second League: 1997/8 as FC Qvareli, 2004/5-2007/8, 2013/14-2016
Disbanded: 2000-2004, 2008-2013, 2016- till now
The best result: 14th place in the Georgian Highest League, 1994/5 season.

As for now, probably there exists some child and youth football in Qvareli, but the senior team is inactive at the moment.