MTSKHETA ONE DAY TOUR

Our guide and driver will meet you at 10.00 o'clock at your hotel’s entrance and drive you to Mtskheta, one of the oldest cultural and religious centre of Georgia.

Next stop is Svetitskhoveli - an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is currently the second largest church building in Georgia, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, Svetitskhoveli has long been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region. The present structure was completed in 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsukisdze, although the site itself dates back to the 4th century.

We will visit the Samtavro Monastery. Samtavro convent, together with other historical monuments of Mtskheta has been inscribed upon the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage since 1994. There are two churches in Samtavro Monastery. The big Samtavro Transfiguration Orthodox Church is dated by the 11th century and the little St. Nino's one was built in the 4th century. The big church preserved mural paintings in the altar conch and in the dome are dated to the mid-17th century. There are tombs of 4th century Saint King Mirian and Saint Queen Nana. People from all over the world come to visit the tomb of the 20th century, Saint Gabriel.

After Samtavro Monastery we will have lunch in a local restaurant with amazing city views.

Then we will arrange the most important part of our trip – the art workshop. You will be able to draw the beautiful view of Jvari Church, with a lesson in the main elements of composition, colour and oil pastel painting technique. Art workshop duration will be approximately three hours. The interesting art workshop will be followed by a demonstration of your own paintings.

Our trip will continue Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period built on a hilltop around 5-6 century. The church Jvari translated as “The Monastery of the Cross” and has the shape of a cross. It is located on a mountaintop with a great view of the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers as well as the entire city of Mtskheta. Jvari Monastery is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

On the way to Tbilisi, we will visit the Koshi Gora Monastery which was built a few years ago.