Georgia is one of the first States that adopted Christianity in the 4th century.

Mtskheta is a holy and cult place for every Georgian. Such a number of holy and religious places, as in Mtskheta, located 20 km from Tbilisi, are no longer in all of Georgia. For this, the ancient city is called the “Second Jerusalem”. Here is one of the greatest relics of the Christian world is stored - the Chiton of the Lord.

In Mtskheta is located the main Georgian Cathedral Svetitskhoveli and several of the oldest monastery complexes, here each building is a cultural monument under the protection of UNESCO.

Jvari temple (“Temple of the Holy cross”), built in the 6th century, stands on a high mountain, offering a beautiful view of the confluence of two majestic rivers – Aragva and Kura. According to a legend, the cross of St. Nino was erected on this mountain. Jvari is the first world heritage site in Georgia.

Not far from Jvari there is another cult monument of Christian Georgia – one of the major Orthodox Georgian temples – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This extraordinary building dates from the 11th century, early in the golden age of Georgian church architecture. It has an elongated cross plan and is adorned with beautiful stone carving outside and in. Christ’s robe is believed to lie beneath the central nave, under a square pillar decorated with colourful if faded frescoes of the conversion of Kartli.

Samtavro Convent is located in the spiritual center of Georgia, Mtskheta, and is considered the famous landmark of the town. The monastery was built by King Mirian near the blackberry, after the death of St. Nino.

The Shio-Mgvime Monastery The frescos there are dated the 16 th – the 17 th centuries. In the 17 th century the convent was renovated for the last time.

This place is always full of pilgrims and worshippers of the saint Gabriel.

is located 9 km from the city of Mtskheta, high in the mountains, at an altitude of 750 m above sea level. The monastery was founded by the Monk Shio, who was one of the thirteen holy fathers arrived in Georgia to preach Christianity. Before the construction of the temple, Saint Shio lived in a cave, hence the name of the monastery “Shiomgwime”, translated as “Cave Shio”.

Especially it concerns the monastic church constructed in the 6 th century. Outwardly it is a low structure with allegedly two-level dome topped with a peaked tetrahedral roof. It is a very original monument with no known analogs in entire Georgia. The numerous cells dug by monks in the caves of the nearby mountains are very interesting as well.

 

 

* Moving to the ancient capital of Georgia, the city of Mtskheta.

* Jvari Monastery

* Mtskheta city and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

* Lunch

* Samtavro

* Shio-Mgvime Monastery

* Return to Tbilisi