Vartsikhe, or more correctly Vardtsikhe, meaning “City of Roses”, was located in Imereti and was known to the Greeks as Rhodopolis, a name that corresponds to the same Georgian meaning. This city flourished and was a notable center of trade during the prosperous period of Greek colonies along the eastern shores of the Black Sea. It had its own bishop, who, according to Codinus, once belonged to the Eparchy of Lazica in ancient times.
In the year 598, during the fierce conflict between the Persian King Khosrow and the Byzantine Emperor Justinian over the possession of Georgia, the Persian general Mermera fortified the city of Vardtsikhe. However, the Laz people, allies of the Greeks, captured the city after a long siege, annihilated the Persian garrison, and destroyed the city itself.
So says the historian Procopius. In the 12th century, during the reign of Queen Tamar, a royal palace stood there, though it soon fell into ruin along with the city. Since then, Vardtsikhe has never risen from its ruins.