Georgia
Mtskheta
The Historical Monuments of Mtskheta are medieval religious buildings that express the introduction and diffusion of Christianity to the Caucasus region.
Here Georgians accepted Christianity in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. The three included monuments are the Jvari Monastery: a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery, Svetitstkhoveli Cathedral: the principal Georgian church and seat of the archbishop, and Samtavro Monastery: an 11th-century church and nunnery.
Community Perspective: all three are easily reached as they are just outside Tbilisi city limits, although Jvari requires an additional short taxi ride. They will give you a glimpse into the mysterious world of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (ID: 708)
- Country
- Georgia
- Status
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Inscribed 1994
Site history
History of Mtskheta
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iii
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- georgia.travel — Georgia Travel on Mtskheta
News Article
- Jan. 18, 2019 agenda.ge — Jvari Monastery Reopens to Visitors
- July 13, 2016 whc.unesco.org — Mtskheta, Georgia, removed from List of World Heritage in Danger
Community Information
- Community Category
- Religious structure: Christian
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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In Video Games
Age of Empires II (in particular Svetic… -
Free entrance
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First inscriptions
Georgia: two inscriptions in 1994, with…
Connections of Mtskheta
- Individual People
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Pompey the Great
AB evaluation " The citadel (Armaz-tsikhe) of Great Mtskheta is located on the side of Bagineti mountain on the right bank of the river Mtkvari". Wiki "Armazi remained the holy city of Iberian paganism (Iberia = Caucasian Iberia, an ancient Georgian Kingdom) and one of the defenses of Mtskheta. The fortress was captured by the Roman general Pompey during his 65 BC campaign against the Iberian king Artag. A ruined structure over the Mtkvari River dates from that time and is still called "Pompey's bridge"." -
Timur
Ravaged it in the 15th century
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- Geography
- Trivia
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In Video Games
Age of Empires II (in particular Sveticxoveli cathedral) -
Modelled after
A small copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built in the grounds of Svetiskhoveli Cathedral between the end of the 13th and the beginning the 14th centuries to mark it as the second most sacred place in the world (after the church of Jerusalem), thanks to Christ?s robe.
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- History
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Coronation Locations
(Svetitskhoveli Cathedral) Georgian Monarchs -
Oldest continuously inhabited cities
Mtskheta, c. 1000 BC -
Located in a Former Capital
Georgia 3rd Century BC - 5th Century AD
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- Architecture
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Tetraconch
The Jvari church is an early example of a "four-apsed church with four niches" domed tetraconch. (wiki)
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- World Heritage Process
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Former In Danger List sites
2009 - 2016 -
First inscriptions
Georgia: two inscriptions in 1994, with Historical Monuments of Mtskheta as the lowest number
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- Religion and Belief
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Holy Tunic
Svetiskhoveli Cathedral ("The Living Pillar") is known as the burial site of Christ's khiton. Tradition holds that a Georgian Jew was present at the crucifixion and bought the khiton taking it back to Georgia. Miracles associated with the relic led to the building and naming of the Cathedral. The event is celbrated each Oct 1.See en.wikipedia.org
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Cathedrals
Svetitskhoveli -
Introduction of Christianity
Christianity was brought to Mtskheta in the 4th century by St Nino, and became the official state religion in 334. The first wooden church was built in the palace garden, where the Svetitskhoveli church now stands.
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- Human Activity
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Writing systems
"Of special significance are early inscriptions, which form a valuable reference in the study of the origins of the early Georgian alphabet."
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- Constructions
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Tombs
"an impressive barrel-vaulted tomb" on Bagineti Mountain -
Medieval buildings with significant 19th century murals
Svetitskhoveli complex: The monumental Pantocrator in the main apse is characteristic of the 11 th century, but was repainted in the 19th century. -
Freestanding Bell Tower
Samtavro Bell Tower -
Notable Bridges
Pompey's bridge (according to legends built by Roman legionnaires of Pompey the Great in 1st century BC) -
Dynastic Burial Places
Georgian monarchs
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- WHS on Other Lists
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World Monuments Watch (past)
Jvari Monastery (2006) -
U.S. Ambassadors Fund
Conservation of the Ancient Archaeological Site of Armazi (2010), Jvari Monastery (2020)See agenda.ge
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- Timeline
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Built in the 11th century
Cathedral and Samtavro date from the 11th century, there are also remains of 7th century churches
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- Visiting conditions
- WHS Names
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Name changes
city museum reserve changed to historical monuments (2005)
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News
- agenda.ge 01/18/2019
- Jvari Monastery Reopens to Visitors
- whc.unesco.org 07/13/2016
- Mtskheta, Georgia, removed from Li…
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
The Historical Monuments of Mtskheta are all about the Georgian Orthodox Church, celebrating the introduction of Christianity in Georgia in the year 317. Three medieval religious buildings in the ancient capital of Mtskheta were selected to represent different phases in Georgian ecclesiastical architecture: the Jvari Monastery, the Svetitstkhoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Monastery.
Mtskheta is an easy half-day trip from the capital Tbilisi by marshrutka. Once you have arrived within the town limits of Mtskheta, you have to pay attention to where to exit the bus - the trick is to stay on until you are right in front of the big cathedral, ignoring all the loops it does first around town and across the river. I spent about 3 hours in Mtskheta, including a ride back and forth by taxi to the Jvari monastery on a hill outside the city.
The Svetitstkhoveli cathedral towers high above everything in the city. One enters through a large gate, with two bull heads on both sides: these are pagan fertility symbols. The courtyard is spacious, with a neat lawn that is forbidden to walk on. The outer walls of the cathedral display some interesting reliefs, made out of red stone that stands out against the grey of the rest. In general, though, I found the reliëfs here in Georgia to be quite simple. It may be a result of local taste or a sign of lack of wealth that decoration is so limited.
In comparison to the other churches …
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This is the site really deserving of inscription. Historical significance of this place justifies its presence on WHS list. Beautiful Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari are highlights of this site, but it's worth to go for a stroll and see old streets of Mtskheta. The best way to get to this ancient town from Tbilisi is marshrutka: cheap and quite comfortable. I recommend to take a taxi from Mtskheta to see Jvari Monastery.
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Site visited just recently (July 2013). Mtskheta lies just outside Tbilisi city limits and is easily accessible by local marszrutka (from Didube bus station, quite frequent buses, approximately every 20-30 minutes, the whole journey takes similar time, ticket costs 1 Lari per person).
Mtskheta as a town (not more than 5 thousand inhabitants) is a small relaxing place, very quiet comparing to busy (and hot) Tbilisi, there are some private flats for rent (rooms) - full list of them available from local tourist information (just outside Svetitskhoveli Cathedral).
It is possible to visit all 3 places (Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari and Samtawro monasteries) in one day but at least visit to Jvari requires some preparation. It can be reached by foot (ask for details at tourist info spot) or by taxi (count at least 20 Lari for both ways). All 3 places may as far be visited free of charge.
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I travelled to the Soviet Union in 1990. Georgia was part of the tour and Tblisi was my favourite city to visit, as the people were warm and friendly. We had also been to the hectic city of Moscow beforehand and the slower, peaceful pace of Tblisi was a welcome change. I don't remember much about Mtskheta but I have pictures of the site to prove I was there. But I do remember eating some wonderful hot bread (similar to a baguette) after the tour!
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Mtskheta is the ancient capital of Georgia and its Cathedral is the “capital” of the Georgian Church and the burial place of Georgian Kings. It only lies around 25kms outside Tblisi and, if you are in the country, should be seen. It is probably best taken in as part of a trip along the Georgian Military road towards Russia.
On the other side of the river, and easily accessible if you are coming from Tblisi in your own transport lies the Monastery of Djvari. This provides fine views across the valley to the town and cathedral which dominates it (photo).
The Cathedral is pleasant enough but, in my opinion, lacks the interest and fine siting of some other “churches” in Georgia – in particular Gelati (which is a WHS – see review) and 2 more which you can see along the Military road. These are (neither is even on the Tentative List)
a. The “Fortress Monastery” at Ananuri – beautifully situated by a lake (the dam which created this reservoir was, we were told, going to flood this church but, even in Soviet times, enough pressure could be brought upon the government to prevent this). It also has fine murals.
b. The Mtatsminda Zameta (Church of the Trinity) high on a windswept hill above the village of Kasbegi looking out to the snow capped peak of Mt Kazbeg (5033 mtrs). This is only accessible by foot or 4x4. (Visited Jul 2000)
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