Jvari Monastery
Mtskheta
Considered one of the most sacred places in all of Georgia, the Jvari Monastery is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery outside the small city of Mtskheta. Stone carvings decorate the interior of this UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 7th century, while its hilltop position provides views over the meeting of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.
There are two parts to visiting Jvari Monastery: heading inside to see the worn and humble interior of the church and admiring the view that overlooks Mtskheta from the terraces outside. You can comfortably experience both of these things in about 30 minutes before moving on to visit other destinations in the region. Jvari Monastery is often combined with Mtskheta and Kazbegi as a popular day tour from Tbilisi to show off the history and mountain scenery in this part of Georgia.
Outside the entrance to the monastery complex is a car park that includes roadside parking; you may have to park a short way down the hill on busy days.
Several small steps are along the paved path leading up to the monastery’s church, and more low steps outside the church’s entrance.
Travelers interested in hiking can choose the slow approach by walking up to the monastery from Mtskheta. The walk involves taking a footbridge over the Aragvi River and is challenging as the trail is not well-marked.
To get to Jvari Monastery, you’ll first want to head toward Mtskheta. In Tbilisi, hop aboard a marshrutka, a shared minivan, for the 20-minute trip to Mtskheta. Once in Mtskheta, organize a round-trip taxi up the monastery and back, as it’s deceptively too far to reach by foot. You can also arrange a cab straight from Tbilisi or rent a car if you don’t mind paying extra.
Jvari Monastery isn’t far from Tbilisi, so you don’t need to worry about the climate being different from the capital. Summers in this part of Georgia can get seriously hot, so instead, try going in April, May, or September. The monastery is open daily and tends to get busy in the mid-morning and late afternoon as the tour groups do their rounds and on Sundays for weddings.
The Historical Monuments of Mtskheta UNESCO World Heritage Site covers Jvari Monastery and several historical sites around Mtskheta. In the heart of the city stands Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is said to be buried on the burial site of Christ’s robe. Farther out of town is the Samtavro Monastery, a medieval monastery with tombs and graves of several important Georgian figures.
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