Martkopi Nunnery

Nestled in the historic village of Martkopi, just 30 kilometers from the capital city of Tbilisi, the Martkopi Nunnery stands as a powerful symbol of Georgia’s spiritual endurance and historical resilience. This peaceful monastic retreat is not just a place of prayer and reflection—it’s a living monument to the country’s religious heritage and political struggles.

The grounds that now cradle the nunnery were first acquired in 1980 by His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, who envisioned the site as a serene summer residence. With his own hands, Ilia II cultivated the land, planting Cupressus trees that still flourish today—some over 40 years old—testifying to the personal care he invested in the landscape. During his many stays here, he welcomed guests from around the globe and fostered a deep connection with the local community, who continue to refer to the property affectionately as the “Monastery of Ilia Shiolashvili.”

One of the most poignant symbols of the patriarch’s presence in Martkopi was a statue he commissioned—a white marble effigy of St. George, positioned on a nearby mountaintop with a view over his home. Ilia II would frequently climb to the niche to pray, and inspired by his devotion, locals began to do the same. This growing expression of faith, however, drew the attention of the Soviet authorities. The regime demanded the statue’s removal and insisted the patriarch restrict his prayers to his own residence. Refusing to bend to pressure, Ilia II stood firm, but the Kremlin soon ordered the destruction of the sacred niche. The act saddened the community deeply, but their spiritual leader offered a glimmer of hope with the words: “Though the niche no longer stands, a church will rise here one day.”

In 1992, following Georgia’s independence from Soviet rule, that prophecy began to take form. Ilia II transformed his former residence into a nunnery, dedicating it to the revered icon of the All-Holy Mother of God of Iberia. Two years later, in 1994, a small church honoring St. George was constructed within the courtyard. The very mountain where the statue once stood was officially named St. George’s Mountain by the patriarch, and in 2015, true to his word, a church—also named in honor of St. George—was consecrated on the summit under his personal guidance and blessing.

Today, the nunnery is home to eight devout nuns whose days begin with prayer at 4 a.m. Their daily lives are devoted to both spiritual service and the stewardship of their surroundings. They tend to the gardens and the grounds, knit warm socks, weave traditional rugs, and handcraft delectable chocolates using all-natural ingredients. The sisters also produce artisanal soaps infused with green tea, honey, lavender, and other skin-friendly ingredients—each bar created with the same care and devotion that permeates life at the convent.

Visitors to the nunnery are welcomed with warmth and tranquility. A small shop at the entrance offers the nuns’ handmade goods, and even accepts credit card payments—blending old-world charm with modern convenience. For travelers hiking near Tbilisi or exploring the surrounding countryside, the Martkopi Nunnery is a serene stop worth discovering.

Guests can browse the gift shop, explore the two churches, and admire the architecture of the main monastery building. Whether you’re drawn by faith, curiosity, or the search for peace, the nunnery’s beautiful courtyard invites quiet reflection. And from the heights of St. George’s Church—visible from nearly every corner of the village—you can watch the sun sink behind the Georgian hills, casting a golden glow over a place where prayer, promise, and perseverance have shaped something truly sacred.

Martkopi Monastery or Martqopi monastery is located 35 kilometers from Tbilisi, Georgia in a resplendant mountain forest of Kvemo Kartli Region. Founded in the 6th century by Assyrian Father Anton Martkopeli, the complex holds cultural significance to Georgians and is the site of one of the country’s most infamous unsolved murders.

Martkopi Monastery Complex consists of the Deity, Virgin Mary, St. George and Father Anton Churches, as well as a belltower and living quarters for monks. The icon of St. Anton Martkopeli, the site’s most sacred relic which is rumored to possess miraculous powers, is also on display. To the east of Martkopi Monastery is Anton’s Pillar, which overlooks dense forest from atop a mountain precipice. The pillar can be reached with a 20-30-minute hike on a well-marked trail up the mountainside. From the top, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the monastic complex year-round.

Anton Martkopeli was one of the thirteen 6th-century Assyrian missionaries who traveled from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country. Upon arrival, Father Anton opted to live in a secluded enclave on Mount Akriani, where he would pray fervently day and night. In the coming years he converted many people to Christianity before living out the last 15 years of his life in the place where Anton’s Pillar now stands. He lived as a hermit, which is also implied by the name Martkopeli (Martomkopeli), which in Georgian means “one who lives in solitude”. The nearby village of Martkopi also adopted this name in the 6th century, having previously been known as Akriani. Father Anton became known in the region as a miracle worker and was soon surrounded by a crowd of followers, which in time led to the revival of Martkopi’s monastic life.

Martkopi Monastery has come under attack multiple times over the centuries by various invaders, suffering partiuclarly extensive damage during Tamerlane’s conquest in 1395. A century later, Georgia was officially dissolved into smaller kingdoms. Martkopi was annexed to the Kingdom of Kakheti, where it was highly regarded by Kakheti’s kings.

In the 17th century, restoration efforts helped to reverse much of the damage which Marktopi had sustained since the Tamerlane era. The monastery went on to serve as an educational center until the mid-18th century. Extensive renovations were carried out in the 19th century, at which time a new builing for Church of the Deity was built to replace its crumbling medieval prededessor. Kirion II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church from 1917-1918, resided there in his final days after becoming a monk toward the end of his life. In the summer of 1918, he was murdered in his chambers at Martkopi in a senseless killing which remains unsolved to this day.

Martkopi Monastery continued to function as a hermitage until 1934. It served as a shelter for homeless children in the 1950s – 1960s and a recreational home in later years. In 1989, the monastery was again restored to the Georgian Orthodox Church by Patriarch Ilia II.

Currently, Martkopi Monastery Complex remains open for visitors and is a worthwhile stop for travelers passing through Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli Region.