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Mtskheta Georgia Travel Caucasus

Mtskheta

In the 5th century B.C., when the king of the Babylonian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar, invaded Judah and expelled Jews to Babylon, a small part of the Jews managed to escape. They walked a long distance but finally reached the old Georgian kingdom of Kartli and asked the ruler of Mtskheta for a shelter. The ruler of Mtskheta agreed, and he gave them a right to settle in the vicinity of modern Mtskheta. Times passed, and some families even moved to the capital. When Christ was born, local Jews received news about him. They received news when he started preaching and went to Jerusalem to basically judge whether Jesus was saying the truth about being a son of God. Two men from Georgia left for Jerusalem. They were Elioz Mtskheteli and Longinoz Karsneli. Both were knowledgeable about the religion. They were late; they saw the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the only thing giving them hope was the robe. As they returned to Mtskheta, they brought with them a robe of Christ. At the gates of the city, there was another person waiting for them. This was the sister of Elioz. Her name was Sidonia. She held the robe of Christ and passed away. Nobody could take it from her. She was buried in Mtskheta, exactly where Svetitskhoveli Cathedral stands now, together with the robe. This is a story that inspired and gave hope to millions of people. Especially Georgians who believed that their country was blessed by God. Sidonia is a saint today, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is one of the main pilgrimage destinations visited by thousands every year. There is no archaeological evidence proving the existence of Christ’s robe under the cathedral; however, for locals, it is not important. Svetitskhoveli became a royal burial site, with 10 kings from the Bagrationi dynasty buried there. It became the residence of the patriarchs of Georgia for centuries and, most importantly, the spiritual center of the whole country. However, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is not the only important place in Mtskheta. Except for this one, there are many more. The land of today’s small town is full of history, legends, and faith. There is no piece of land in Mtskheta where you can step and say, “Nothing has ever happened here”.

Jvari Monastery is another destination for pilgrims, but not the only one. Historical facts linking Jvari with the reception of Christianity in Georgia are the main motivation for pilgrims. The mesmerizing views from Jvari are the main motivation for everyone. The landscape where the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers meet each other has become an inspiration for writers and an iconic spot.

Being the old capital of Georgia, Mtskheta is linked with the creation of the first united kingdom in Georgia. It was in the third century B.C. when king Parnavaz united the western and eastern Georgian kingdoms and ruled over the united kingdom of Kartli.

What To Do

Whether you are the type of traveler who looks for historical sights, old architecture, religious monuments, or just some beautiful places, Mtskheta is the perfect destination for you. A big bonus point is that Mtskheta is located just 20 km away from Tbilisi and is easily accessible by public transportation or taxi. If you would like to join one of our tours in Mtskheta, click here.