Mtskheta

Mtskheta is the closest town to Tbilisi and is usually one of the first places that is visited by tourists after the capital. Mtskheta is also visited during the trip to Kazbegi (Stepantsimida).

In 2011, the central part of the first capital of Georgia was reconstructed. Curiously, the houses of local residents, which are located in areas of renovations, were also restored. In recent years, the tourist information center, souvenir shops and a museum have appeared. The information center has quite an unusual design.

The first object that tourists see when they approach Mtskheta is a temple on a hill - the Djvari Monastery. It's worth a visit at the beginning, as it offers excellent views of Mtskheta and rivers Kura and Aragvi, so you can see the location of all tourist sites. Djvari was built in 590-604. At that time Georgia was not an Orthodox state, that's why the form of the temple is unusual (tetraconch). Come here in the morning to take good pictures.












The main object in Mtskheta is located in the center. The Svetitshoveli Temple was built in 1010-1029. As well as in other large churches of Georgia, kings were crowned and buried here for a long time.












In Mtskheta you can also visit the Samtavro Temple and Bebristsihe Fortress.

More photos of Mtskheta:










Getting there: By minibus from the central bus station near the Didube metro station in Tbilisi ($0.5). The Svetitshoveli Temple is quite tall, so it's not hard to figure out where to leave the minibus. As for the Djvari Monastery, you can either walk there (far and uphill) or take a taxi from Mtskheta.