Martvili Monastery, Medieval monastery in Martvili, Georgia

Martvili Monastery is a medieval religious complex built on a hilltop in the town of Martvili, Georgia, overlooking the valleys of the Tskhenistskali and Abasha rivers. The site includes a main church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a separate three-story stone church called Chikvanebi, which shows features typical of late feudal Georgian architecture.

The site was originally a place of pre-Christian worship, marked by an ancient oak tree, before being converted into a Christian holy place in the 7th century. Under King George II, it grew into an established religious center in western Georgia.

The monastery once served as a major center for copying Georgian texts, and this tradition is still felt today through the small museum housed in a former royal room on the grounds. Visitors can walk through this space and see religious objects and historical artifacts connected to the monastic community.

The monastery sits on a hilltop and is reached on foot by a straightforward path that offers open views over the surrounding valleys. Once on the grounds, the churches and the museum room are easy to visit without any special preparation, though modest clothing is expected at this active religious site.

Before the monastery became a Christian site, an ancient oak tree on the hilltop was considered sacred, pointing to a long tradition of nature-based worship at this exact spot. The tree is thought to have been the original reason why the location was treated as holy long before any church was built.

• Location: Martvili
• Inception: 7 century
• GPS coordinates: 42.40530,42.37780
• Latest update: March 3, 2026 08:18