Mtsvane Monastery, Medieval monastery in Borjomi valley, Georgia
Mtsvane Monastery, also known as the Chitakhevi Church of Saint George, consists of a three-nave basilica and a two-storey bell-tower. The church measures 14.5 by 19.2 metres and is built of coarsely hewn stone, with plain walls and traces of 12th–13th-century frescoes in the apse and on the west wall. The bell-tower stands a few metres southeast; its ground floor houses a chapel and its upper floor a belfry with arched apertures.
The monastery was established in the 9th century based on the teachings of Georgian monk Grigol Khandzteli, with disciples Christopher and Theodore initiating its construction. The community faced severe hardship during a Persian invasion in the 16th century.
The monastery is popularly called Mtsvane, "Green", after the wild greenery that overgrew its abandoned premises before clearance began in 1978. Its main church is dedicated to Saint George, the south aisle to Saint Spyridon of Trimythous, and the north aisle to Queen Tamar. Monks returned in 2003 under Metropolitan Seraphim of Borjomi and Bakuriani.
The monastery is located roughly 12 kilometers from Borjomi and is best accessed via the walking trails within the national park. The site sits on wooded terrain with uneven ground, so appropriate footwear and moderate fitness help when exploring the area.
In 2012, while clearing the monastery grounds, local novices found an antefix stone with a cross on a pedestal and a two-line asomtavruli inscription in mirror writing reading "Saint George", confirming the church's original dedication. The stone is among the few decorated elements at the otherwise plain site.
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