For travelers who have never stepped inside one of Georgia’s ancient monasteries, their understanding of this remarkable country remains incomplete—for these sacred places form the very essence of Georgian history. Among the most revered is Samtavro Monastery, nestled in the spiritual heart of Mtskheta. It is more than a place of worship; it is a symbol of national pride and soul. Widely known beyond the country’s borders, this monastery serves as the final resting place of King Mirian III and his queen Nana, Georgia’s earliest Christian monarchs.
According to legend, the royal couple embraced Christianity in the 4th century through the divine guidance of Saint Nino, the enlightener of Georgia. It is no wonder then that the name Samtavro translates as “royal domain.” The monastery complex is comprised of the Church of the Transfiguration, a bell tower dating from the Mongol era, the Church of Saint Nino, and several auxiliary structures. Easily visible from the city center, it’s often visited immediately after the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. In modern ecclesiastical tradition, the monastery is also closely tied to the revered figure of Saint Gabriel (Gabrieli Urgebadze).
Set at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the monastery falls under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, who also holds the title Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi. Architecturally, the main temple is a fine example of the cross-in-square style, distinguished by its uniquely carved ornamentation—unmatched in Georgian architectural heritage. The structure is expansive and austere in form, marked by harmonious proportions, refined detailing, and sacred simplicity. Revered for safeguarding important Christian relics, the monastery has always served as a central sanctuary of Georgian ecclesiastical life.
Today, Samtavro is an active convent for Orthodox nuns. Visitors are kindly expected to leave a donation upon entry. Photography within the complex is strictly prohibited.
Samtavro Monastery does not maintain a dedicated website. However, visitors eager to learn more can explore the online portal dedicated to Saint Gabriel of Samtavro. There, one can view rare photographs of the temple museum, watch a documentary on Saint Gabriel’s life, and read about his journey both in life and after death. The site also shares touching stories of miraculous healings, personal memories of the saint, and his profound spiritual teachings.
The roots of Samtavro reach back to the 4th century, directly tied to the arrival of Saint Nino. At the time, the site lay beyond the defensive walls of ancient Mtskheta, close to a ravine that once served as a protective moat. Upon her arrival, Saint Nino initially found shelter in the home of the royal gardener. Later, she retreated to a secluded area near the city’s northern boundary, where she lived humbly in a shelter woven from blackberry bushes. This simple abode, called Makvlovani (“place of the blackberry”), remains a sacred image in Georgian Christian tradition, as Saint Nino continued to preach from this very refuge.
After converting to Christianity and commissioning the grand Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, King Mirian experienced a spiritual struggle—his remorse over past sins made it difficult to enter the main temple. In response, he ordered the construction of a more modest church at the site of Saint Nino’s blackberry shelter. It became known as the Upper Church. According to the historian Vakhushti Bagrationi, this early structure featured a stone dome, which was quite unusual since domed churches were not yet common in the 4th century. The original church no longer survives, and its size remains unknown, though it is believed to have followed a basilica plan.
King Mirian died in 361, and was interred within this sacred place. His stone sarcophagus remains to the left of the entrance, adorned with a mosaic depicting the king and queen. From that moment on, Samtavro became known primarily as the burial site of Georgia’s first Christian monarch. Even the church doors bear their likenesses.
In the 470s, under King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the Mtskheta episcopate was elevated to a Catholicosate, and the bishop’s residence was moved from Svetitskhoveli to Samtavro.
Tragedy struck at the end of the 6th century, when Abo of Nekresi, one of the Assyrian Fathers, was killed after being exiled to Mtskheta. His relics now rest beneath the altar at Samtavro.
Around the same time, the monastery became the cathedral of the Samtavro Diocese, which existed for centuries until its dissolution in 1811, when it was merged with the Mtskheta Diocese.
The monastery’s exact appearance between the 4th and 11th centuries remains a mystery. However, in the early 11th century, Catholicos-Patriarch Melkisedek I ordered extensive renovations: the sanctuary was enlarged, southern gates were added, and the interior was richly adorned with ornamental carvings.
Over the centuries, the church was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. A major earthquake in 1283 toppled the dome, and Tamerlane’s invasion a century later likely caused further damage. Chronicles suggest that the dome was swiftly restored, and a bell tower was constructed nearby.
Samtavro holds a special place in the hearts of modern Georgians due to its connection with Saint Gabriel Urgebadze. Born in Tbilisi in 1929, Gabriel constructed a church in his own courtyard in the Isani district—one that still stands. At 26, he took monastic vows under the name Gabriel, and sixteen years later, became the abbot of Samtavro Monastery. He made his home in a large round tower, still visible today beside the cathedral—though often mistaken for the adjacent bell tower. Revered throughout Georgia, he offered spiritual guidance and aid to all who sought him.
Following his passing in November 1995, Gabriel was buried on the northern side of the Transfiguration Church. Pilgrims began to flock to his grave almost immediately. In 2012, he was canonized, and by 2014 it was noted that his relics remained incorrupt. They were publicly transferred to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral before being returned to Samtavro. By autumn of 2015, a special stone canopy was erected over the reliquary in the northwest corner of the church.
The monastery also houses numerous other sacred items, including a fragment of the Life-Giving Pillar, relics of Saints Abibos of Nekresi and Shio of Mgvime, the miraculous icon of Saint Nino (donated by King George XII from St. Petersburg), a miracle-working icon of the Iveron Mother of God, and even a stone from Saint Nino’s grave.
In 1820, under the Russian Empire, a women’s convent dedicated to Saint Nino was founded at Samtavro. A theological school for girls was also established there, headed by Bishop Isidore. During the Soviet era, the convent was closed like many religious institutions. But in the 1990s, it was reopened, and in 1994, along with other historic landmarks of Mtskheta, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This small convent, a model of early cross-in-square architecture, rests on a foundation symbolic of the Christian cross: the entrance forms its base, the side chapels its arms, and the altar its head. Despite undergoing several minor restorations, the church has preserved the hallmark features of early Christian Georgian architecture, setting it apart from later constructions in the city. With its stern and solemn exterior, the church echoes the hardships endured by Saint Nino herself, while still radiating humility and grace.
To reach the sacred grounds of Samtavro Monastery from Tbilisi, one must first arrive at the Didube metro station. Upon exiting the station, travelers should look for a marshrutka—Georgia’s well-known shared minibus service—that heads toward the center of Mtskheta. The route number may not be marked, and signage is typically written in Georgian script, so it is advisable to consult with local residents to identify the correct departure point. Once aboard, the journey takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
From the center of Mtskheta, the monastery can be reached on foot in just seven minutes, making it an easily accessible pilgrimage for visitors eager to explore the town’s spiritual heart.
Alternatively, trains also operate in the direction of the church, with passengers disembarking at the Mtskheta railway station. However, this option is considered less convenient, as the station is located at a considerable distance from the town center. If choosing this route, travelers should be prepared for a longer walk, which follows the banks of the river leading into the heart of Mtskheta.