Betania Monastery

The Betania Monastery includes two churches with a central domed structure and features walls made of pink-tinted sandstone near Tbilisi.

The monastery, constructed at the beginning of the 12th century, remained one of the few operating religious centers during the Soviet period in Georgia.

The northern wall of the monastery contains rare 13th-century frescoes depicting Georgian royalty, including Queen Tamar, King George III, and George IV.

The monastery stands 16 kilometers southwest of Tbilisi and contains a collection of preserved religious murals dating back to 1207.

The monastery holds the distinction of being the only religious site in Georgia where worship, weddings, and baptisms continued during Soviet religious restrictions.

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: cross-in-square

GPS coordinates: 41.69000,44.61139

Latest update: May 11, 2025 09:16