Monumentos Históricos de Mtskheta

Mtskheta holds three major Christian structures positioned where the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers meet, creating a striking setting along the valley. The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari Monastery, and Samtavro Monastery each display distinct architectural features and occupy separate locations across the landscape.

This city served as the capital of the Iberian Kingdom from the 3rd century BCE until the 5th century CE, when political power shifted to Tbilisi. The religious structures remained central to faith and devotion long after the kingdom's administrative center moved away.

The cathedral and monasteries here reflect how medieval Georgians built their most important places of worship, with thick stone walls and soaring interiors designed to inspire reverence. Walking through these structures, you sense the role they have played as gathering spaces for faith and community across the centuries.

From Tbilisi, reach these sites by taking the metro to Didube station and then connecting to minibuses that run regularly throughout the day. Starting early helps you explore the area with fewer crowds and more daylight for looking around.

The Jvari Monastery crowns a hilltop where, according to tradition, Saint Nino planted a wooden cross in the 4th century. This location holds meaning as a turning point connected to Georgia's adoption of Christianity.