It has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history.

At the end of the 13th century Sapara became a possession of the Jakeli family, whose leader, Sargis Jakeli, was adept at staying on good terms with the Mongols, which enabled Samtskhe to enjoy a peace unusual for the time.

[1] From the end of the 16th century until the beginning of the 17th century the Sapara Monastery became empty due to the expansion of Ottoman Empire policy into Samtskhe and during this process the monastery's icons and other treasures were taken to more protected areas of Georgia.

[2] Set in a green forested canyon, the monastery is contrastingly distinguished by its pink and yellow stones.

Best example of the 13th century temple architecture in Georgia, this church also survived in rather good condition till modern times.

Due to complex relief and little space he had to build a wall from the southern side.

Within the church the apse is flanked by the prothesis and sacristy on the ground floor, and the crypts on the upper.

The mural have signs of development through the church history: variation in the manner, colours, width of contours.

Generally following the traditions of that period, special accent is made on space and tonality with a number of planes.

The heavy dome contains sixteen windows on the tholobate - eight true and eight false, a feature that will become common in later churches.