Samtavro Monastery (Region of Mtskheta – Mtianeti)
Samtavro Monastery (Georgian: სამთავროს მონასტერი). The monastery is an important and remarkable monument from a historical and cultural point of view. From this holy place, Saint Nino preached the righteousness of Christ to the Georgian people. Here the Georgian Christian faith and self-awareness were born. One of the most notable aspects of the architectural heritage of the monastery complex is its main one – the Transfiguration Church, a magnificent cross-domed structure that has preserved its ancient harmony and grandeur. The temple was erected on the site of an old church built by Saint King Mirian in the 4th century. The original building has not survived. In addition to the main church, the complex includes: the Church of St. Nino, a bell tower and a wall with a tower.
The current temple that has come down to us, stylistically, dates back to the 11th century and was built at the same time as the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. The temple served as a burial place for the primates of the Georgian Orthodox Church; the tradition comes from its builders – the holy king Mirian himself and his wife, Saint Nana, were the first to be buried here by right of the primate of Georgia. One of the Assyrian fathers, Abibos of Nekreski (Georgian: აბიბოს ნეკრესელი), is buried in the monastery. In the southwestern corner of the courtyard, a damaged cylindrical tower from the 18th century has been preserved. Elder Gabriel (Gabriel) (Georgian: გაბრიელ ურგებაძე ), who is the greatest saint in the modern history of Georgia, spent the last years of his life in this tower. The relics of Elder Gabriel are considered miraculous and attract a large number of believers. Samtavro Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mtskheta City (Georgian: მცხეთა ), Mtskheta Municipality (Georgian: მცხეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი)