Jvari Monastery: Ancient Splendor Above Mtskheta

Our Georgia trip included visiting Jvari Monastery, one of the UNESCO-listed Historical Monuments of Mtskheta. This sixth-century church sits dramatically on a rocky hilltop at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers.

The views from Jvari are simply spectacular. Looking down at the town of Mtskheta nestled in the valley below, with the two rivers meeting against the backdrop of mountains, offered some of the most beautiful vistas we encountered in Georgia.

Built between 590 and 605 AD, Jvari is remarkable for having survived nearly unchanged since medieval times. The church pioneered the tetraconch architectural design (with four apses) that later became common throughout the Caucasus region.

During our visit, the monastery was undergoing significant restoration work. Portions of the ceiling had been removed to make the central cross visible, which limited our ability to appreciate the famous dome structure with its squinches fully. Still, we could see why UNESCO recognized this site for its cultural and religious significance.

According to tradition, this is where Saint Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century, erected a large wooden cross said to perform miracles. The site remains one of the most sacred places in Georgia.

Despite the ongoing construction, Jvari Monastery offered historical interest and moments of tranquility while taking in the breathtaking panoramic landscape of Central-Eastern Georgia.