Samtavro Monastery

Built presumably in the 4th century by the King Mirian III, and reconstructed in the 11th century by the King George I and Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek I, Samtavro is an important Early and High Medieval historical and architectural monument, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 along other historical monuments in Mtskheta.

[1] Samtavro church is cross-in-square temple, with arches and other decorations typical for the 11th century Georgian architecture.

The graves of Mirian III and the famous Georgian Saint monk Gabriel are located in the yard of Samtavro Church.

According to the Georgian hagiographic sources the monastery was established in the 4th century, during the reign of the King Mirian III of Iberia, when a small church was built here by Saint Nino in connection with conversion of Georgia in Christianity.

The main temple is stylistically dated to the first half of the 11th century, and was probably built or rebuilt soon after Svetitskhoveli cathedral, with Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek I.

The wall, surrounding the monastery, was built in the Late Middle Ages, with the bell-tower added in 16th century.

Apart from the main temple, the monastery includes a small church, the bell-tower, a cylindrical tower, remnants of palace and some modern structures, all surrounded by the wall.

The tombs of King Mirian III and his wife Nino, are found inside the church in the south-west part.