Mtskheta - Mccheta

Mtskheta
Map
Information
Country	Georgia
Region	Mtskheta-Mtianetia
Population	19 423
Postal Code	3300

Mtskheta - a city in the east Georgia, at the mouth of the Aragwa River to Kura.

Characteristic

Mtskheta, located 15 km north of Tbilisi, was the capital of the ancient eastern Georgian kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. It is extremely important for the Georgian people and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is here that Georgia converted to Christianity in AD 334 and remains the seat of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Mtskheta is of particular interest to anyone interested in Georgian history or Orthodox Christianity.

Drive

By plane

In a short distance, there is Georgia's largest airport in Tbilisi.

By rail

• 1 Train station (1.5 km from the city center. You can walk there or get there by public marshrutka near the station).

Mtskheta lies on the Tbilisi-Kutaisi railway line, so all trains connecting these cities go through Mtskheta.

By car

Mtskheta lies at the junction of the Georgian military road and the main connecting road Gori from Tbilisi.

Taxi

You can take a taxi from Tbilisi or book a guided tour. To make sure you can return to Tbilisi without problems, you will be given a taxi company phone number before heading to Mtskheta and they will send someone to take you on the way back.

By bus

Marshrutkas run regularly every day of the week between Tbilisi's Didube market and Mtskheta's main street. From Didube metro station, go to the left of the metro line (from the city center), cross the road and on the next plot you will find a marshrutka to Mtskheta (coordinates: N41.7499 E44.7783, or just ask around). In the south-eastern corner of the plot there is a "ticket office" where you can buy a marshrutka ticket. The cost of the ticket is 1 lari per person. Ask the driver to stop near Mtskheta's historic center, otherwise the marshrutkas will arrive at Mtskheta Bus Station, which is 500 meters north of Mtskheta Cathedral. Keep in mind that there are fewer marshrutkas drivers on Sundays and therefore this mode of transport becomes less reliable and more crowded.

• 2 Bus stop. You can catch a marshrutka going to Tbilisi here.

Communication

Mtskheta is small enough that you can see the whole city on foot. The only exception is the Jvari Monastery, far from the city center at the top of the mountain. As there is no public transport to Jvari, it is best to hire a taxi in the city or use the shuttle offered by the tourist office in front of the cathedral, at a cost of 5 lari per person, to Jvari Monastery. While hiking is possible, it probably wouldn't be wise as the walk involves a stretch of main road with blind curves and a characteristically chaotic drive.

Worth seeing

Gamsakhurdia street

Interior of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Monastery of Jvari

• 1 Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Department of the Pillar of Life). Svetitskhoveli is one of the most sacred places in Georgia and, together with the Jvari Monastery, a clear highlight of a trip to Mtskheta. It was founded in 1010, built on the site of Georgia's first church, and contains the tombs of ancient Georgian kings, including Sidonia, where Christ is said to be buried. There are many (non-aggressive) beggars at the entrance gate. free.
• 2 Monastery of Jvari (on the cliff above Mtskheta). The monastery from the 6th century is the culmination of a series of artistic and architectural aspirations of early Christian Georgian architecture. The top view is great. Make sure you travel there in clear weather and before dusk. Quite a distance to go.
• 3 Samtavro (ruler's place) (north up the main road, a short walk from the Svetitskhoveli complex). According to the legend of St. Nino lived there and prayed in the smaller of the two surviving churches. This little church is from the 4th century. A larger church on this site was built in the 11th century and contains the tombs of Mirian, the Georgian king who converted to Christianity, and his wife's tomb.
• 4 Bebris Tsikhe (Elder's Stronghold) (continue up the main road from Samtavro). The ruins of Bebris Tsikhe are fun, albeit a bit dangerous, to climb for views from Mtskheta and the valley formed around the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. free.

Around the city

• 5 Shio Mgvime Monastery (NW 12 km). Spectacular monastery from the 6th century. Its main church dates from the 11th century. Fantastic views of the city.
• 6 Monastery of Zedazeni (10 km NE, on top of the mountain, closer to the village of Saguramo). Church built in the 8th century. Views of Tbilisi.
• 7 Armaztsikhe-Bagineti archaeological site (on the right bank of Mtkvari. Access to the excavation site is signposted on the regional road south of Mtskheta.). The main fortress of the ancient city of Mtskheta was situated high above the river in a strategically good position. The Armaztsikhe-Bagineti excavations have been prepared recently for visitors and have explanations in English. Archaeological research began in 1943 and three main cultures were identified: the oldest finds date to the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD, the main discoveries to the 3rd-5th centuries, and the last to the 6th centuries. Consequently, Armaztsikhe was destroyed by the Arabs in the 8th century. There is a royal sarcophagus, remains of defensive walls, defensive tower and supporting pillars, palace walls, bathhouse, wine cellar, pre-Christian temple and canal system. free..

work

Science

Shopping

In front of the Svetitskhoveli cathedral there are traders and a small shop where you can buy souvenirs and drinks.

• There is also a relatively large grocery store ("უნივერმაგ" or "Универмаг") (located north of Samtavro on the main road (between Samtavro and Bebris Tsikhe)). where you can buy cheap basic food and drinks.

Gastronomy

There are several cafes in Mtskheta, but it deserves special mention Cafe Guga. It has indoor and outdoor seating - outdoor seating is especially enjoyable on warm days as each party will have its own "chalet". Georgian cuisine is unique and costs much less than a comparable meal in Tbilisi. It's worth coming here from Tbilisi to Mtskheta for dinner here!

• Another extremely popular place is "Salobie" (on the way from Mtskheta to Tbilisi). It is a large restaurant with both outdoor and indoor seating and the food is exceptionally good.
• Restaurant. Rather large restaurant with average food. 8-13 lari.

Nightlife

Those who want to visit discos and nightclubs must go to Tbilisi.

Parties

• If you happen to be in Mtskheta in October, don't miss the Georgian Balloon Flight Open Contest.
• The festival of the city of Mtskheta takes place every year on October 14 around the Svetitskhoveli cathedral. There are folk dances, music, crafts and religious events.

Accommodation

Mtskheta is an easy and extremely rewarding place to visit. Accommodation here is cheaper and generally better than cheap accommodation in Tbilisi, and the easy bus connection to Didube metro station makes it a good alternative place to stay.

• Guesthouse Lizi, Agmashenebliz 52. Clean, comfortable rooms in a family-run guesthouse. Free Internet. Good food, walking distance to all attractions in Mtskheta. A very pleasant and quiet place to stay. 30 minutes. by bus to Tbilisi Didube metro station. 30 lari per person with breakfast and dinner.
• Mtskheta Sanapiro Guest House, Sanapiro 6, 3300 Mtskheta, ☏ 995 597182244. The owner is extremely charming and very nice. Spacious rooms with a wonderful view from the balconies of the Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, mountains and rivers. Delicious breakfast. The guesthouse has a fantastic location, peace and quiet.

contact

Security

Tourist information

• travel agency (opposite the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral). 10:00 - 18:00.

Where next

• The Georgian war road runs north through the mountains to the border with Russia. Another large city north of Mtskheta is Dusheti
• Gori in the west it is easily accessible
• Tbilisi

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