Martkopi Monastery

Nestled in the heart of a lush mountain forest in Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli region, just 35 kilometers from Tbilisi, the Martkopi Monastery—also known as Martkopi—stands as one of the country’s most revered and mysterious religious landmarks. Founded in the 6th century by one of the legendary Thirteen Assyrian Fathers, Saint Anton Martkopeli (Anthony of Martkopi), this monastic complex is not only a sanctuary of spiritual devotion but also the backdrop to one of the most haunting unsolved crimes in Georgian history. Today, it holds the distinguished status of a national cultural monument.

The Martkopi Monastery complex is an architectural ensemble of faith and solitude. It includes the Church of Khvtaeba (meaning “Divinity”), the churches of the Virgin Mary, Saint George, and Saint Anthony, a bell tower, and residential quarters for monks. Of all the sacred treasures housed here, the icon of Saint Anthony of Martkopi is considered the most venerated, believed to possess miraculous powers. To the east of the main complex lies the Pillar of Saint Anthony, accessible via a clearly marked trail that winds uphill for 20 to 30 minutes. From the top, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forests and rolling hills.

Saint Anthony of Martkopi was among the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers—missionary monks who journeyed from Mesopotamia to Georgia in the 6th century with the mission of fortifying Christianity throughout the region. Upon his arrival, Anthony chose a life of seclusion on Mount Akriani, dedicating himself wholly to prayer and ascetic practice. Over time, he converted many to Christianity and spent the final 15 years of his life in utter isolation atop a pillar constructed on a nearby mountainside. The name “Martkopeli” or “Martomkopeli” translates from Georgian as “he who lives in solitude.” The neighboring village, now called Martkopi, was once known as Akriani and adopted its current name in the 6th century, in honor of the saint whose presence transformed the area into a cradle of monasticism. Anthony came to be venerated as a miracle worker, attracting crowds of faithful who ultimately laid the foundation for a thriving monastic tradition.

Throughout its long history, Martkopi Monastery endured repeated invasions by foreign forces. One of the darkest chapters came in 1395, when the monastery was severely damaged by the armies of Tamerlane. In the following century, Georgia fractured into several small principalities, and Martkopi became part of the Kingdom of Kakheti, where it was deeply respected by local rulers. Restoration efforts in the 17th century succeeded in reversing much of the destruction inflicted during Tamerlane’s incursion.

Until the mid-18th century, Martkopi served as a vibrant center of religious education. A major renovation of the monastic complex took place in the 19th century, including the construction of a new building for the Church of Khvtaeba. The older medieval church structure was almost entirely demolished during this period of reconstruction.

One of the most tragic moments in the monastery’s modern history occurred in the early 20th century. Kyrion II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church from 1917 to 1918, spent the last days of his life at Martkopi, having taken monastic vows in his twilight years. In the summer of 1918, he was found murdered in his own chambers within the monastery walls—a crime that remains unresolved to this day, casting a somber shadow over the holy site.

Martkopi Monastery continued functioning as a skete, or monastic retreat, until 1934. In the decades that followed, it was repurposed to house homeless children (during the 1950s and 60s) and later served as a rest home. In 1989, the monastery was officially restored to the Georgian Orthodox Church by Patriarch Ilia II.

Today, Martkopi Monastery welcomes visitors once more, standing proudly as one of the most compelling and spiritually resonant landmarks in the Kvemo Kartli region.