Accessible only from the southwest, it offers a view of both river valleys, and due to its commanding position, is visible from Georgia's main east–west highway.

[2][3] The fortress is known from early modern historical records under the name of Mtkvari (archaically, Mtkuri) or Mtveri, but it is popularly and commonly known as Ksani.

It was built by Prince Bagrat, who scrounged from his elder brother, King David X of Kartli, the district of Mukhrani and carved himself out a principality.

The fortress immediately became a target of the neighboring Georgian ruler George II of Kakheti, who laid a siege to Ksani.

According to one account, after a three-month-long standoff, George mockingly sent fresh wine to Bagrat, thinking the defenders were starving.