Mtskheta (Georg: მცხეთა, Eng: Mtskheta) is the capital of the region (Mchare) Mtskheta-Mtianeti and the administrative district of the same name (Raioni) Mtskheta. The city at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers is 20 km northwest of Tbilisi and is therefore, together with the surrounding sights, a worthwhile destination for a day trip.
The city is now a center of Georgian Orthodoxy. The religious buildings of Mtskheta (Jvari, Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro) are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, but were put on the Red List due to improper renovation work.
 View of Mtskheta and the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers from the Jvari Monastery | ||
| Mtskheta, მცხეთა, Mtskheta, Мцхета | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Mtskheta-Mtianeti | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 7500 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 7940   | ||
| height | 460 m | |
| Tourist info | 995 32 2512128 http://www.mtskheta.org.ge | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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The city lies at the confluence of the Aragwi and Kura (Mtkvari) rivers in a small valley basin. According to archaeological research, the city has existed for over 3000 years. For almost 1000 years until the 6th century, Mtskheta was the capital of the Iberian Empire, a predecessor state of today's Georgia alongside the kingdoms of Colchis on the Black Sea coast and Kartlien. Located in the center of Iberia, Mtskheta was one of the most important trading cities between the Caspian and Black Seas on the Silk Road. The Roman historians Strabo, Plutarch and Pliny reported on the city's fortresses, the largest of which was Armaszikhe. Ziche means fortress in Georgian and Armasi was the god of the Caucasian Iberians. The walls of the fortress enclosed the royal palace and the temple, in front of which a large statue of the god stood.
Mtskheta has developed into one of the most important centers of Georgian Orthodoxy over the past centuries. The numerous churches were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, but a few years ago they were put on the Red List due to inadmissible renovation work. In fact, the city center with the old houses and typical wooden balconies has been renovated in recent years, but it is not authentic in terms of monument protection.
Economically, Mtskheta in the vicinity of Tbilisi is an important tourist destination for both Georgians and foreigners. In the north of the city, numerous food processing industries have sprung up in recent years: the Natakhtari brewery and the Barambo chocolate factory in Natachtari, the fruit juice bottler Campa and the Zedazeni brewery in Saguramo are examples of this.
Districts:
- City center of Mtskheta (the area around Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro
- Railway station settlement: On the other side of Mtkvari
- Narekvavi: suburb north of the city center
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport with scheduled connections is Tbilisi. 5 km north of Mtskheta, in Natachtari, is the little one 1 Natachtari airfield, from where small fan guns and helicopters fly seasonally to Svaneti, Tusheti and Chewsureti, and flights can also be chartered. From July 18, 2014 scheduled flights to Mestia will take place again (3 times a week). Departures Mon, Wed and Fri from Natachtari 9:00 am, departures Mon, Wed and Fri 11:00 am from Mestia. Airfare 65 GEL per direction. Tickets can be purchased at Mestia and Natachtari airports as well as in Tbilisi can be purchased at Rkinis Rigi 11. It is not possible to book online.
By train
The 2 Mtskheta railway station is located south of the city center on the right side of the Mtkvari River. All trains between Tbilisi and the west of the country stop in Mtskheta. However, there are no timed local and regional trains between Mtskheta and Tbilisi; if you want to travel publicly, it is best to take a minibus (marshrutka).
By bus
Minibuses run from Tbilisi Central Station and Didube bus station to Mtskheta several times an hour (price from Didube: 1 Lari, as of April 2017). Those who come from the west (e.g. Gori, Kutaisi), usually has to drive to Tbilisi and return from one of the bus stations. It is advisable to get off before reaching the bus station in Mtskheta, as there is nothing to see in the north of the city.
But you can also ask the driver whether he is making the detour through the city of Mtskheta and, if necessary, add a few lari.
The 3 Bus station is located 4 km north of the center in the Narekwawi district.
In the street
Mtskheta is accessed by the ს 1 motorway (TbilisiGori) bypass in the east. To the east of Mtskheta, the Tbilisi bypass branches off from this Rustavi and Azerbaijan from, North of Mtskheta the Georgian Army Road (ს 3) Gudauri, Stepantsminda and Vladikavkaz.
Coming from Tbilisi, 3 km after the city limits, turn off the highway to the right, Mtskheta is clearly signposted in Georgian and English. Follow this street for 5 km to the roundabout, there you turn right over the bridge and you come to the old town. The junction is also clearly signposted from the north, after leaving the autobahn, just go straight for about 5 km.
The city center is largely a pedestrian zone, parking on the street and access with private cars is hardly possible. But there is a big one at the north end of the historic center 4 parking spot (Entry costs 2 Lari, no time limit).
mobility
There are minibus routes within the city, but the city is small enough to walk, and the best way to get to the sights outside of the city is by taxi if you don't have a car. This applies to the churches and monasteries of Jvari, Schio Mgwime and Sedaseni as well as more distant destinations in the district (Château Mukhrani, Zilkani, Armasziche). Due to the proximity to Tbilisi, it is advisable to take a taxi for the whole day in the capital charter (from 50 Lari per day plus fuel), or numerous travel companies offer guided day trips to and around Mtskheta (from 100 Lari pp).
Tourist Attractions
In the historical center or within walking distance:
- the medieval cathedral Svetitskhoveli
- the monastery Velvet avro (11th century)
- 1 Antioch Chapel
(7th century), a small church with beautiful frescoes, beautifully situated in a monastery garden, right at the confluence of the Aragwi and Mtkvari rivers. - 2 Castle ruins Bebriszikhe(ბებრისციხე) (14th century), 2 km north of the city center, easy ascent, great view of the Aragwi River, Teatroni Park and the city.
- Opposite Bebrisziche is the Samtavro Valley archaeological site.
- 3 Archaeological Museum, Davit Aghmaschenebeli St. 34. Tel.: 995 590 880112, Email: [email protected]. Archaeological artifacts - v.A. Finds from Armasziche-Bagineti - since the 4th millennium BC, 30,000 exhibits.Open: Tue-Sun 10 am-5pm.Price: 3 GEL.
- the historical center is very nice, but a little inauthentic, renovated. Most of the streets are now pedestrianized and especially on weekends with wedding parties, which are married every minute in one of the important churches.
- The 4 Cinema palace Opposite the Archaeological Museum is no longer in operation - but the frieze on the street side shows a great wall mosaic, and there is an archaeological excavation in the basement.
- To the north of the center is the extensive one 5 Teatroni Park. In the park there are some bizarre buildings, such as three semicircular former restaurants and a modern amphitheater, which is also no longer in use. From the north end of the park there is an ascent to Bebriszikhe.
Outside the center:
- the excavation site 6 Armaszikhe is nicely prepared, but includes an easy ascent, for which you are rewarded with a great view of the confluence of the Aragwi and Kura.
- The monastery complex Jvari (Access from Zahesi)
- The monastery complex Schiomghwime (Access from Mtskheta from the west, signposted at the Samtavro monastery complex.
- The 7 St. Olga Monastery (ოლღის მონასტერია, Ольгинский Монастёр / Olghis Monasteria, Olginskij Monastjor) is a Russian-Orthodox nunnery south of the train station. It was founded around 1890 by the grieving wife of the railway engineer Gornitsch, who committed suicide because of the failure to build a tunnel. The monastery features Russian Art Nouveau architecture and decorations. Access from the end of Baginetistrasse, easy 10-minute ascent on foot.
- The Mtskheta railway station is one of the most beautiful of its kind in Georgia
- 8 At the southern end of the suburb Narekvavi, which connects to the city center after Bebrisziche, there is an old, abandoned restaurant that looks like a collection of oversized kvevris (wine amphoras). There is also a naive statue of three drinking men on the restaurant premises. Interesting earth pyramids can be seen on the slope opposite the road. To the north of the restaurant is a former petrol station complex from the Soviet era with some interesting wall reliefs.
In the Surroundings:
- Fortified church in Zilkani
- winery Château Mukhrani in the village Muchrani, there is also a fortress and a temple of Dionysius
- The house-museum with garden of Ilia Chavchavadze in Saguramo
- The monastery complex Sedaseni (Access from Saguramo)
- Castle ruins Ksani
Svetitskhoveli
The 9 Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
(სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, "Cathedral of the Life-Giving Pillar") stands right in the city center and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, along with other historical monuments in Mtskheta.
The first church in Georgia stood on the site as early as the 4th century, around which there are numerous legends about the Christianization of Georgia in 317. It was built under the rule of the Iberian King Mirian III. built. The church building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. When the main cathedral was restored in 1970 and 1971, the foundations of a basilica were found in it. It was built in the late 5th century by King Vakhtang I Gorgassali in place of the first church built by Saint Nino.
The current cathedral was built from 1010 to 1029 by the Georgian architect Arsakidze at the instigation of the Georgian Catholicos Melkizedek under the reign of King Giorgi II. For several centuries it was the coronation and burial church of the Georgian monarchs and at the same time the main church of the Georgian Orthodox Apostle Church. In 1787, under King Irakli II, it was surrounded by a five-meter-high stone and brick wall. Its top floor was used for military purposes and was reinforced with battlements. The wall had eight towers, six of which were cylindrical and two were square. There was an entrance to the south.
In 1963, during archaeological excavations on the south wall, a residential building belonging to the Catholicos from the 11th century was found. The remains of a two-story castle for Patriarch Anton II were found within the enclosure.
Today Svetitskhoveli is the seat of the Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is also the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia. It is the second largest Georgian church after the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. built.
Velvet avro
The former women's monastery 10 Velvet avro is located a few hundred meters northwest of the city center. The complex was founded in the 4th century by Queen Mirian III of Iberia. The Holy Nino Church of the Transfiguration was built in the 11th century by King Giorgi I and the Katolikos Patriarch Melkizedek. It is characterized by wonderful sculptural facade decorations and rich stone carvings. It was restored in 1903.
The grave of the important Georgian monk Gabriel (1929-1995) is located in the monastery garden.
Jvari
The monastery 11 Jvari (Georgian ჯვარი, ჯვრის მონასტერი, Jschwris monasteri), the name is translated as "Kreuzkloster", is a Georgian Orthodox monastery from the 6th century. In 1996 Jvari was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with other monuments of Mtskheta.
According to tradition, St. Nino, who is said to have brought Christianity to Georgia, had a cross erected on the site of the monastery as early as the 4th century. A first smaller church was built in 545 under the ruling prince Guaram I. Kuropalat. This church is now only preserved as a ruin north of today's church. Under Guaram's successors, Stefanos I and Adarnase I Patrikios, today's larger, adjacent church was built between 586 and 605. This church is 25 m high, 20.2 m long and 16.5 m wide. Due to the exposed location high above the city of Mtskheta at the confluence of the two rivers Aragwi and Kura (Mtkvari), it is visible from afar. Jvari served as a model church for many other churches in the region.
The Directions takes place from Tbilisi on the main arterial road to the north, follow the signs to Batumi at the city limits. After you have crossed under the railway, the exit is signposted to the right, you follow the small road over the river and then straight on over the bypass road. After about 5 km of asphalted serpentine road you have arrived. If you missed the junction, there is a second signposted exit after the Mzcheta exit, you shouldn't be put off by the 200 m long gravel (!) Motorway exit. Coming from the north, turn off at the exit to the bypass road (signposted: Yerevan, Baku) and drive straight on for about 1 km, then turn left onto the mountain road.
Schiomghwime
The monastery complex of 12 Schiomghwime(შიომღვიმე) is about 15 kilometers west of the city center by road. The monastery is one of the most important monuments of early medieval Georgian architecture. The monastery is located at the northern end in a narrow gorge on the left bank of the Mtkvari River. The junction is signposted at the Samtawro monastery, the road becomes a gravel road about halfway through the route, but is accessible with a normal car.
According to tradition, the monastery was founded in the 6th century by a Syrian monk and missionary named Schio. Schio is said to have been one of the 13 legendary Syrian monks who brought Christianity to Georgia. At first Schio lived in a cave and preached in the surrounding villages. The name Schiomghwime means "cave of Schio". Eventually a church and later a monastery were built on the site. The monastery was able to expand its complex in the following centuries thanks in particular to the support of Kings Giorgi II and David IV the builder. Over time, a refectory (built between the 12th and 17th centuries) and a small chapel (from the 12th century) were added to the complex. In 1614-16 the complex was destroyed during an invasion of Persian troops under Shah Abbas I. In 1678 the destroyed church was rebuilt as a basilica, whereby the old octagonal floor plan was retained. Like all major monasteries in Georgia, the monastery played a significant role in the care, preservation and development of Georgian culture. Many Georgian artists and scientists worked here.
Immediately above the monastery there is a rock wall with many natural caves, which in earlier times served the residents as a place of protection and retreat. These natural dwellings were certainly also the reason why Schio once settled here. In the course of time, the caves were expanded and served hermits and monks as places to live and meditate.
Armaszikhe Bagineti
The excavations at Armaszikhe-Bagineti on the right bank of Mtkvari were only recently opened to visitors and also include explanations in English. The main fortress of the ancient city of Mtskheta was located high above the river in a strategically good position. The access to the excavation site is signposted on the regional road south of Mtskheta, there are no parking spaces there, you have to stand on the side of the banquet.
Archaeological investigations began in 1943 and three main cultures could be identified: The oldest finds were dated to the 1st century BC. Dated to the 2nd century AD, the middle finds to the 3rd-5th centuries AD. Century and the youngest to the 6th century and after. In the 8th century, Armaszikhe was destroyed by the Arabs.
A royal sarcophagus, remnants of the fortification walls, a defense tower and supporting columns, the foundation walls of the palace, a bathhouse, a wine cellar, a pre-Christian temple and water pipes and a canal system were prepared. Aramaic and Greek inscriptions were discovered, gold finds were brought to the museum.
activities
In addition to sightseeing, you can go hiking in the vicinity of Mtskheta and picnic in the forest, as well as - very popular with the capital city - eat in one of the numerous restaurants in the area. If you are not interested in visiting churches, you have seen it all within an hour.
shop
- 7 km south of Mtskheta, but already in Tbilisi city area, is the 1 Tbilisi Mall with a large Carrefour hypermarket and various retail outlets and fast food restaurants
- There are numerous in the old town Souvenir shopsselling almost anything from authentic local handicrafts to Chinese scrap metal. Many of these shops also sell postcards, wine, and ceramics.
kitchen
Of the numerous excursion restaurants in the area, the following are particularly noteworthy:
- 1 Armazis Tskaro. 7 km west of Mtskheta train station, with a wonderful view of the river that flows through the middle of the large guest garden and some of the tables were built on platforms over the stream.
- 2 Salobia. 5 km east of Mtskheta train station, right next to the Tbilisi motorway exit, is the legendary restaurant that has existed since the Soviet era. You have to order at the bar, the food is freshly prepared and then served. Special feature: There are actually two restaurants that offer different dishes. For example, if you want to eat salad and kababi, you have to order one in one and the other in the other.
- 3 Paulaner Tower. 10 km north of Mtskheta, on the Georgian Army Road: offers Georgian dishes in the middle class, but the ambience with a newly built kitsch tower is absurd to funny.
- Château Mukhrani, in Muchrani, 10 km west of Mtskheta. Wine tasting and food in a high price range, can also be rented for parties. Cellar tours are offered.
nightlife
If you want to visit disco and night club, you have to go to Tbilisi.
Mtschetoba-Svetitskhovloba: The Mtskheta City Festival takes place annually on October 14th around the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Folk dances, music, handicrafts and religious events are offered.
accommodation
There is no increased risk of crime, like the rest of the country, Mtskheta is very safe.
health
Practical advice
The 1 Tourist info (operated by the National Tourism Agency) is located directly at the main entrance to the Sweti Tskhoveli Monastery, in Arsukidze Street 3. Tel: (995 32) 2512128; Email [email protected], opening times daily 10 am-6pm, in summer until 7pm.
In and around Mtskheta, the network coverage by the various mobile phone providers is excellent. Credit can be topped up at the numerous vending machines in the city. However, the service shops of the mobile phone providers can only be found in Tbilisi.
trips
- Mtskheta is a stopover at the historical one Georgian Army Road
- Mtskheta is also a good stopover for day trips from Tbilisi to Gori.
