A royal residence complex is surrounded by an almost intact rampart, which was built in the 17th century by the king of Kakheti, Archil II. Subsequently, in the 18th century, Erekle II has built his own castle here and it is the smaller replica of an Iran Shah palace in Isfahan, which is still there. He has also built a theological seminary, marking Telavi as a pillar of education. Nowadays, as we've already mentioned, here is the oldest active school in Georgia, which was established more than 250 years ago. In the 19th century, after Russia's complete annexation of Kartli and Kakheti, another structure was built inside the rampart, which at different times functioned as a gymnasium, a school and finally a Museum of Ethnography. Telavi art gallery was also built later, where you may find a rich collection of paintings Ketevan Iashvili has presented to the town. A few years ago, during the rehabilitation of Telavi, both buildings were demolished and Telavi History Museum and a gallery were built instead in accordance with modern standards.
