A day tour to Mtskheta covers the most notable places of the city. You will visit the Jvari, Svetitskhoveli, and Shio Mgvime monasteries.

Mtskheta

Mtskheta was the ancient capital of East Georgia beginning in the IV century BC. After moving the political center to Tbilisi, Mtskheta remained a spiritual center of the country. It became a political center in the X-IX centuries while Tbilisi was occupied by Arabs and was known as the Tbilisi emirate. Currently, it is a little town 15 km from Tbilisi. The trip covers the most important monuments in Mtskheta:

• Jvari monastery – built in the VI century on the top of the hill. It has a perfect view of Mtskheta.
• Svetitskhoveli cathedral – built in the XI century. This cathedral is the burial place of Georgian kings and their offspring.
• Samtavro monastery – built in the XI century. Here are the graves of the first Christian king and queen of Georgia.

Monastery of Shio Mgvime

Shio Mgvime monastery is located 15 km from Mtskheta. The first monastic community in this place was founded in the 6th century by monk Shio. He was one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia as Christian missionaries. St. Shio spent his last years as a hermit in a deep cave named Shiomghvime (the Cave of Shio). This place quickly turned into the biggest monastic community in Georgia. By the end of the 6th century, more than 2000 monks were living here. According to history, enemies destroyed this monastery several times. Nevertheless, it is still functional and attracts many pilgrims and tourists.

After an interesting day day tour to Mtskheta, we return to Tbilisi.

Upon your request, you can also have a wine tasting in Iago’s winery. The owner produces bio wines according to ancient Georgian technologies. Here you will learn the history of Georgian winemaking. You will also be able to taste various wines and enjoy a real Georgian ‘supra’.

To see other activities please check the link for Day tours from Tbilisi.

Additional options we can add to the tour to Mtskheta:

• Ananuri complex lies on the bank of river Aragvi. From Mtskheta to Ananuri we will travel around 50 km on the Georgian military road, and pass the picturesque Jinvali water reservoir.
• Zedazeni Monastery is on the Zedazeni mountain in the hills of Saguramo, northeast of Mtskheta, and to the east side of the Aragvi River.
• Uplistsikhe, an ancient city carved in the rock, is the spiritual center of pagan Georgia. The city dates back to the VI century BC.
• The open-air museum in Gori. Tourists can visit Stalin’s museum. You can also have a traditional dinner and local wine tasting.