Architectural necklace of Mtskheta – Christian temples and ancient Uplistsikhe (from Tbilisi)

What to expect

Main landmarks of Mtskheta
At the Jvari Temple, harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape, we will discuss it as a symbol of Christian Georgia and the early stages of the development of the new religion. Here, you will see the famous confluence of two rivers – the Aragvi and the Kura. I will tell you about the legendary ancestors of the Kartvelian tribes and the emergence of Mtskheta – one of the oldest urban settlements and the capital of Iberia. At Samtavro, you will learn about the activities of Georgia's first Christian king Mirian, buried on the church grounds. Visit Svetitskhoveli, where I will introduce you to the history of the appearance of its cult relics – the Chiton of Christ and the relics of Andrew the First-Called, and also tell you about the famous Bagrationi dynasty, whose representatives rest in the cathedral. Additionally, the itinerary includes the first monastic community – Shio-Mgvime, where you will hear about the thirteen Assyrian fathers, how this place became a center of cultural revival, and why it was so beloved by Georgian kings.

Rock-hewn Uplistsikhe – a journey back to antiquity
En route to the cave city, optionally, we will make a stop in Gori, where you can visit the Stalin Museum, before heading to Uplistsikhe. While strolling through the area of the ancient monument of rock architecture, you will learn about the role of the 6th-century fortress, which played a prominent role in the country's political and cultural life in the Middle Ages. We will discuss the structure of the rock-carved chambers and the decision to build a settlement of this type, as well as contemplate the lives of its inhabitants – their beliefs before Christianity, spatial organization, proclaimed higher values, and the gradual transition from pagan ideas to a new religious path.