Mgvimevi Monastery (მღვიმევის მონასტერი) is a small, lesser-known cave monastery dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, located in the Chiatura region, just a stone’s throw from the city of Chiatura. While its historical significance may be minimal, its intriguing location makes it a rare example of a cave monastery, reminiscent in some ways of the famed Vardzia. Today, it stands as one of only two monasteries within the Satchkhere-Chiatura diocese.
The name of the monastery derives from the Georgian word მღვიმე (mgvime), meaning “cave,” and it is a historical monument dating back to the 13th century. This period marked the decline of the Golden Age of Georgia and the onset of invasions by the Mongol-Tatar nomads. Currently, Mgvimevi is an active monastery, home to ten nuns, including four fully professed monks.
The monastery was founded by Prince Rati Kakhaberidze of the Racha region, one of the aristocrats during the reign of Queen Tamar. This is attested by an inscription found on one of the monastery’s stone slabs. The remains of members of this noble family are interred within the monastery grounds.
What makes this site particularly unique is the presence of one of the largest cave temples in Georgia, entirely situated within a vast cavern of the monastery. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is not hewn from the rock; the cave walls remain in their natural state, with only the façade slightly modified. A stalagmite occupies a small area near the altar, adding to the cave’s mystique. This cave church, dating back to the 6th century, is dedicated to Saint Catherine.
Outside, on the monastery grounds, there is a basilica with two naves adorned with traditional Georgian ornamentation, known as the Church of the Nativity of Christ.
Throughout the Mongol-Tatar invasions, the monastery faced numerous assaults. Notable military leaders, such as Murvan the Deaf and Timur the Lame, attempted to plunder it unsuccessfully. Evidence of these attacks can be seen in the remnants of arrows and the pottery used to boil resin, alongside traces of the resin itself. It is likely that the Mongols attempted to scale the sheer cliffs using baskets, but the defenders of the monastery thwarted their efforts. Visitors are particularly impressed by the trail leading to the monastery.
When traveling from Chiatura to Satchkhere or vice versa, the monastery is prominently visible from above the highway. A narrow staircase leads to its entrance, which is easy to miss. This staircase winds in several loops before arriving at the doors carved into the rock.
From there, a dark tunnel leads deeper into the mountain, emerging into a spacious cave that houses the main temple of the monastery. This cave temple is unique in all of Georgia; it is not carved from the rock and lacks a classic rectangular shape, instead occupying an amorphous cavern, with a stalagmite positioned near the right side of the altar.
From this cave, visitors can access an external gallery. Here, a stone church resembling a two-nave basilica has been constructed, adorned with beautifully preserved carvings. Inside, there are frescoes, though they are in poor condition.
The gallery leads from the church to a bell tower, beyond which lies an area closed to visitors. From the gallery, a rather bleak view of the industrial outskirts of Chiatura unfolds. One can imagine the bustling construction of the 1930s, with smoke, noise, and clamor, and how the monks, if any remained at that time, observed it all. Today, the surroundings evoke a haunting atmosphere reminiscent of Pripyat. In modern Georgia, Mgvimevi Monastery likely remains the only site with such striking views.
Finding the monastery is easy, as it is located just beyond the exit from Chiatura toward Satchkhere. There are no particular difficulties in reaching it, but visiting hours are limited, with the monastery closing at 4:00 PM.