Shio-Mgvime Monastery

Perched on the steep slopes of a scenic gorge along the Kura River, at an elevation of 750 meters, lies the Shio-Mgvime Monastic Complex — a spiritual and architectural marvel just 9 kilometers from Mtskheta and approximately 30 kilometers from Tbilisi. Its name, “Shio-Mgvime,” translates to “Cave of Shio,” a homage to the monk Shio who lived here in solitude until his death. This sacred site is not merely a monastery but a storied sanctuary that has echoed with prayer and monastic devotion for over fifteen centuries.

Shio-Mgvime unfolds across the cliff face in a cascading formation — the buildings are terraced, layered one above the other, as though carved into the very mountain. This monastic community first came into being in the 6th century, founded by Shio, a Christian missionary and one of the celebrated Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who helped spread Christianity throughout Georgia. Between 560 and 580 AD, the first church of the complex was constructed and dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The consecration was attended by Catholicos Macarius and several of the Assyrian Fathers themselves.

The church was built in the form of a cross, crowned with a conical dome. Inside stood a stone iconostasis intricately decorated with scenes from the life of Shio. Today, this precious artifact is preserved in the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts in Tbilisi, a testament to the monastery’s artistic and religious significance.

From its very beginnings, Shio-Mgvime served as a spiritual center of Georgian religious life. In 1123, King David IV of Georgia — known as David the Builder — declared the monastery a royal domain and established its official monastic rules. The king’s reverence for the monastery extended beyond its religious function; he ensured the monks had access to life-sustaining resources. Archaeological excavations in 1937 uncovered remnants of a two-kilometer aqueduct that once supplied water to the monks from the village of Skhaltba — a remarkable engineering feat for its time.

The Upper Church (Zemo Eklesia), dedicated to the Virgin Mary, stands as the focal point of the monastery complex today. Originally commissioned by King David IV in the 12th century, the first domed structure was destroyed during foreign invasions. In 1678, it was rebuilt as a basilica, stripped of decorative excess on the outside but still rich in history and artistry within. The interior preserves a remarkable collection of frescoes and murals, which have endured centuries of upheaval.

Following the fragmentation of the unified Georgian kingdom and repeated assaults by hostile forces, Shio-Mgvime fell into decline. Its spiritual flame, however, was rekindled in the 15th century when King George VIII entrusted the monastery to the Zevdginidze-Amilakhvari family, who used it as their ancestral burial site until the 19th century. Despite suffering partial destruction at the hands of Persian and Ottoman armies during the 17th and 18th centuries, restoration efforts in the 19th century revived much of its original splendor. The monastery, however, remained inactive during this time.

During the Soviet era, Shio-Mgvime was closed down, like many religious institutions across the region. But with the dawn of a new millennium came spiritual renewal — today, the monastery is once again active, drawing both pilgrims and curious travelers to its ancient, hallowed halls. Despite centuries of change, its foundational architecture — a blend of original 6th-century craftsmanship and subsequent modifications spanning from the 12th to 18th centuries — remains impressively intact.

In addition to its two primary churches, the Shio-Mgvime complex also features a small chapel on a nearby hilltop. This modest yet evocative site enhances the monastic landscape, offering visitors a glimpse into the contemplative solitude that has defined this place for generations.

Reaching Shio-Mgvime is relatively straightforward. From Tbilisi, marshrutkas (shared minibuses) and buses depart for Mtskheta from the city’s central bus station. Upon arriving in Mtskheta, a sign on the main square will direct you toward the monastery. The road leading to the site is a single, dead-end route — 9 kilometers of winding, picturesque terrain. For those who prefer a more immersive journey, it’s also possible to walk to the monastery from the village of Dzegvi, following a 4-kilometer path along the Mtskheta-Kavtiskhevi highway.