Landmarks of Mtskheta

With a rich history, a picturesque location at the confluence of the Mtkvari (Kura) and Aragvi rivers, and a recently completed large-scale restoration, Mtskheta has become a pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals alike.

The city’s crown jewels are the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Jvari Monastery. In addition, visitors can explore the Samtavro Church, the Antioch Church, the ancient fortress walls of Bebris Tsikhe, the Archaeological Museum, the Samtavisi Necropolis, and several other notable sites.

Souvenir lovers will be enchanted by the walk from the parking area to Svetitskhoveli along a beautifully styled street evoking the spirit of old Georgia. Here, artisan stalls and cozy shops offer traditional churchkhela, local spices, handmade crafts, and examples of regional artistry. You can even visit a jewelry workshop where Georgian cloisonné enamel is crafted, enjoy a coffee or glass of local wine, and sample Georgia’s famous chacha brandy.

The main magnet drawing pilgrims and travelers to Mtskheta is the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli—its name translating to “Life-Giving Pillar.”

According to legend, the cathedral stands on sacred ground. The story tells of a Jewish rabbi, Elioz, who witnessed the crucifixion of Christ. Moved by the moment, he purchased Christ’s robe and brought it to Mtskheta. Upon receiving it, his sister Sidonia was so overwhelmed with grief that she pressed the robe to her heart and died. She was buried with the garment, and a majestic cedar tree grew over her grave.

When a Georgian king sought to build a church on the site, the cedar was felled and carved into seven columns. One of the columns, however, could not be raised. It hovered in the air until Saint Nino, after fervent prayers, caused it to descend and stand. Miraculously, the pillar began to exude fragrant myrrh.

The present cathedral was built in the early 11th century on the foundations of this ancient shrine dedicated to Saint Sidonia. A symbolic “life-giving” pillar, now in stone, stands at the heart of the church.

For nearly a thousand years, Svetitskhoveli served as Georgia’s primary cathedral—a place of royal coronations and burials, and the enthronement of Georgian Catholicos-Patriarchs.

Visitors are expected to dress modestly; skirts and scarves are available at the entrance for women. The cathedral remains active. Services are held on weekends—on Saturdays from 17:00 to 20:00, and Sundays from 09:00 to 13:00. During liturgy, silence is observed and photography is prohibited, though visitors are treated to the spellbinding beauty of Georgian polyphonic church chants. It’s also common to see wedding ceremonies or newlyweds visiting the cathedral after civil registration.

Located just a five to ten-minute walk from Svetitskhoveli, the Samtavro Church was built in the 11th century and stands within the convent of Saint Nino.

The church houses the revered Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, a relic of the life-giving pillar, and the relics of Saints Shio of Mgvime and Abibus of Nekresi—founders of monasticism in Georgia. The tombs of King Mirian and Queen Nana, who introduced Christianity to Georgia, are also located here, along with the shrine of the beloved modern saint, Father Gabriel, whose memory draws pilgrims from all across the country.

Nearby, on the very spot where Saint Nino is said to have lived beneath a blackberry bush in the 4th century, stands the small Makvlovani Church.

Samtavro is the oldest functioning women’s monastery in Georgia, continuing its sacred mission to this day.

To the city’s northern edge rise the ruins of Bebris Tsikhe Fortress, dating back to the 9th century. Halfway between the fortress and Samtavro Monastery lies the Samtavisi Necropolis—one of Georgia’s most ancient burial sites, uncovered in the late 19th century. The necropolis contains graves spanning from the Neolithic era (10th century BCE) to the early medieval period. An adjacent recently uncovered Bronze Age settlement adds to the historical richness.

History enthusiasts will also enjoy the Archaeological Museum and the remains of the city’s ancient gates, which are now part of an exhibition housed in the former Karibche cinema near the museum.

Another under-the-radar gem is the Botanical Garden of Mikheil Mamulashvili (1873–1973), once a staple on Soviet-era tourist itineraries. Celebrated in a poem by Yevgeny Yevtushenko for its floral artistry, the garden today may seem neglected but remains fascinating. It is located at 7 M. Mamulashvili Street.

A more industrial yet historically important site is the Zemo-Avchala Hydroelectric Station, one of Georgia’s earliest hydropower plants, constructed in the 1920s.

Nearby once stood the Pompey Bridge—an engineering feat built by the Romans in 65 BCE. Though submerged after the hydro plant was launched, its remnants resurface when the Mtkvari River’s water levels fall.

Just outside Mtskheta, the ruins of Armaztsikhe mark the site of the former royal Iberian residence, destroyed by Arab invaders in the 8th century. Ongoing excavations have revealed a royal palace, marani (wine cellar), bathhouses, and a sarcophagus. Informative signs in both Georgian and English explain each find. A viewing platform offers stunning panoramas of Mtskheta.

To reach Armaztsikhe, cross the river via the bridge near the railway station and walk roughly 1 km toward Tbilisi until a sign marks the path up the hill.

To the north, a small private airfield offers flights for a bird’s-eye view of Mtskheta’s surrounding landscapes.

With a car or taxi, you can also explore nearby sites such as the ancient fortresses of Nichebisi and Ksani, the Chavchavadze House Museum, and the Chateau Mukhrani winery in the village of Mukhrani.

Perched on a mountain across from Mtskheta, the legendary Jvari Monastery—also known as the Church of the Holy Cross—was built in the first half of the 7th century on the site where Saint Nino erected a cross. This is the same Jvari immortalized in Mikhail Lermontov’s poem Mtsyri.

Crowning the mountain and blending seamlessly into the landscape, the monastery offers an unforgettable view over the confluence of the rivers, the Georgian Military Highway, and the town below. On clear days, the snow-capped peak of Mount Kazbek may also be visible in the distance.

The exterior is adorned with ancient Georgian inscriptions and delicate reliefs, while the interior boasts a rare architectural feature—tromps—alongside remnants of early carvings and ornaments.

One of Mtskheta’s more secluded yet historically profound sites is the Church of Saint Stephen, or Antioch Church. The great-grandson of King Mirian (the first Christian king of Iberia) Archil, who ruled from 411 to 435, ordered to build a temple in the name of Saint Stephen. The church was designed by a Greek architect. The plate at the entrance to the building still keeps his name – Averlios Akolios, but no other information is left. The church is located within the women’s monastery of Stepantsminda, this small early Christian church preserves fragments of ancient frescoes and offers insight into Georgia’s earliest sacred architecture.

About 9 kilometers from Mtskheta lies the stunning mountain monastery of Shio-Mgvime, founded in the 6th century by the Assyrian monk Shio, who spent his final days in a cave here and was buried in its depths. The monks’ cave cells, carved by hand into the mountain, once accessible to pilgrims, now lie within a sheer cliff face rendered unsafe by a landslide, closing them to the public.

The monastery was founded by the 6th-century monk Shio, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia as Christian missionaries. St. Shio is said to have spent his last years as a hermit in a deep cave near Mtskheta subsequently named Shiomghvime (“the Cave of Shio”) after him. It used to be the largest monastic community in Georgia, and by the end of the 6th century it was populated by as many as 2,000 monks.

At present, several dozen monks reside within the serene walls of the monastery, and they always welcome guests with warmth and humility. The architectural layout of the monastery is striking in its originality: all the buildings are arranged like steps along the hillside, gradually ascending in a harmonious rhythm. The most ancient and captivating of these is the Church of St. John the Baptist, believed to have been constructed during the lifetime of Shio himself, making it a site of immense spiritual and historical significance.

Founded around the 4th century AD, Zedazeni Monastery is, according to one version of its history, attributed to St. John of Zedazeni — one of the revered Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who journeyed to Georgia to preach monasticism and shape the spiritual path of the Georgian people.

Visitors to the monastery grounds can admire the remains of a basilica and an 8th-century fresco depicting St. George valiantly slaying the dragon — an image as rich in legend as it is in artistry. Also of note is the 18th-century bell tower, a quiet sentinel that has witnessed centuries of transformation. Though the monastery lay abandoned for a long time throughout its history, it was revived and reopened in the early 1990s, restoring its role as a place of prayer and reflection. The monastery complex is located just 11 kilometers from Mtskheta and can be reached either by foot for those seeking a scenic pilgrimage or by car for a quicker journey.

Admission to the monasteries and churches of Mtskheta is free of charge. However, in keeping with traditional etiquette and respect for sacred spaces, it is customary to leave a small donation when visiting a monastery or church.