Mtskheta
Georgia · Mtskheta-Mtianeti · 470 m
Description
Mtskheta (მცხეთა) was the capital of the Iberian kingdom for eight hundred years and is where Georgia converted to Christianity in the fourth century, which makes it the spiritual centre of the country rather than merely an old town twenty kilometres from Tbilisi. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, rebuilt in 1029 on the site of the first church, is where Georgian kings were crowned and buried and is said to hold the robe of Christ under a pillar. The small Jvari monastery on the bluff above looks down on the confluence of the Mtkvari and the Aragvi, where the two rivers run side by side in different colours before mixing.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – June or September – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Jvari Monastery on the bluff
- Confluence of the Mtkvari and the Aragvi
- Samtavro Monastery and the royal graves
- Old town lanes and the craft stalls
- Armazi archaeological site
- Churchkhela and the local sweet stalls
- Shio-Mgvime cave monastery(Day trip)
- Bebristsikhe fortress ruins
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Mtskheta