Kintsvisi Monastery

Kintsvisi Monastery is an orthodox monastic complex in Kareli Municipality, Georgia, made up of three church buildings set on a wooded mountain slope. The main church of red brick rises among tall trees in the Dzama river valley, while smaller stone chapels sit scattered across the grounds.

Construction of the site began in the 10th century under local noble families who supported monastic communities in remote mountain valleys. Expansion came mainly in the 13th century during the reign of Queen Tamar, when Georgian rulers gathered artists and builders from across Transcaucasia.

The church takes its name from the Byzantine saint Nicholas, whose devotion spread across medieval Georgia through monastic networks. Inside, visitors see paintings that place royal faces alongside religious figures, reflecting the deep connection between church and monarchy during the medieval period.

The site sits roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the town of Kareli up a wooded slope accessible by a gravel road. Services have taken place regularly since the reopening in 1995, and visitors should dress appropriately as it remains an active religious building.

The red brick construction of the main church is uncommon for medieval Georgia, where most churches of the era were built from local stone. The blue backgrounds of several frescoes were made from lapis lazuli, a rare and valuable mineral imported from Afghanistan.