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Antiokia Church, Mtskheta

The small rubble-stone Antiokia church with red tiled roofs behind a fence in a grassy convent yard in Mtskheta
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free; candles and donations in cash (lari)
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
Daily in daytime: 9:30–17:00 or 9:00–18:00 — unofficial, sources differ
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
15 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Time needed
10–15 minutes for the church and yard
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered; women cover their hair and wear a skirt; spare wraps may not be available
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Services
Sunday prayers in the convent — not the time to look around
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Photos
Inside only if a nun allows it; the yard is usually fine
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Location
South-east edge of Mtskheta at the river confluence, 1 Antioki St
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
From Svetitskhoveli
≈ 400–500 m east, 5–10 minutes on foot
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Coordinates
41.84131, 44.72447YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

St Stephenthe Protomartyr — the church’s dedication; “Antiokia” is its popular name
3 sourcesGeorgian WikipediaGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationMadloba
7th–8th c.today’s single-hall church — the former north aisle of a three-aisled basilica
2 sourcesGeorgian Wikipedia (Description of Monuments of History and Culture of Georgia, vol. 5)Georgian Holidays
Women’s conventstill active at the church
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationMadlobaGeorgian Travel Guide
4th–5th c.the traditional date for the first basilica on the site
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationGeorgian Travel GuideMadloba
King Archilbuilt it to thank God for driving out the Persians, according to the chronicle Kartlis Tskhovreba
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationGeorgian Travel GuideMadloba
Aurelius Acoliusthe Greek architect named in a Greek inscription on the stone threshold
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationGeorgian Travel GuideMadloba
8th c.burned during the invasion of the Arab general Marwan the Deaf
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationGeorgian Travel GuideGeorgian Holidays
15th–18th c.major repairs that changed the church’s look
3 sourcesGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationGeorgian Travel GuideGeorgia Voyage
16th–17th c.the gate with a defensive tower on top
2 sourcesGeorgian WikipediaGeorgian Holidays
Sandstonethree walls and the gate in dressed blocks; the south wall and tower in rubble, river stone and brick
3 sourcesGeorgian WikipediaGeorgian Travel GuideMadloba
1990sthe interior was replastered and newly painted
3 sourcesGeorgian Travel GuideMadlobaGeorgian Holidays

What is Antiokia Church?

Antiokia is the Church of St Stephen the Protomartyr on the south-east edge of Mtskheta, right where the Aragvi flows into the Mtkvari. It belongs to a small working convent: a walled yard with a vineyard, pomegranate trees and a low stone church under a tiled roof. The nickname “Antiokia” stuck so firmly that few visitors ever hear the official name.

The church is tiny — one vaulted hall, a horseshoe apse to the east and a single west door, lit by just two windows. Next to it stands a gate with the stumps of a defensive tower. It is not one of Mtskheta’s headline sights; think of it as a quiet 15-minute detour between the cathedral and the river.

Opening hours, entry and payment

There is no official timetable. Unofficial listings give daily daytime opening — one says 9:30–17:00, another 9:00–18:00. Entry is free and there are no tickets. If the gate is shut, you still see the best part from outside: the masonry and the tower.

The nuns hold prayers on Sundays, when wandering around the church is awkward. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere in Georgia, including Bolt taxis, but carry a few lari in cash for the marshrutka from Tbilisi, candles and donations.

How to get to Antiokia Church

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On foot

More tips

  1. From Tbilisi, take the metro to Didube and a marshrutka marked Mtskheta from Didube bus station — about 30 minutes, paid in cash.
  2. Get off on the main street and walk about 5 minutes to the west gate of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on Arsukidze Street, where taxis and tour cars park.
  3. Walk round the cathedral wall and head east along Arsukidze Street towards the river confluence — about 400–500 metres, 5–10 minutes.
  4. Look for a stone wall and a gate topped by a ruined tower. The address is 1 Antioki Street; some maps file it under Arsukidze Street. Put your scarf on before the gate.
  5. Walk back the same way. For Jvari Monastery on the hill across the river, take a taxi from the cathedral’s west gate.

A short history of the church

According to the medieval chronicle Kartlis Tskhovreba, King Archil built the church to give thanks for driving the Persians out. The Georgian National Tourism Administration dates its foundation to the 4th–5th centuries and counts it among Georgia’s earliest Christian buildings. Even the architect’s name survives: a Greek inscription on the stone threshold names Aurelius Acolius. The slab is now in the Mtskheta Archaeological Museum.

The first building was a three-aisled basilica. Only its north aisle survives, turned into a separate hall church in the 7th–8th centuries. The church burned in the 8th century during the raids of the Arab general Marwan the Deaf and was heavily repaired between the 15th and 18th centuries, when the east window was reshaped, a north window cut and the gate added. Its upper, defensive storey dates from the 16th–17th centuries. The interior was replastered and repainted in the 1990s, when the convent was set up.

Why is it called Antioch?

Nobody knows for sure. The Georgian National Tourism Administration links the name to the conversion of Kartli: King Mirian asked Emperor Constantine for clergy, and Constantine sent Bishop Ioane (John), whom tradition connects with the Church of Antioch.

Architectural historian Emma Loosley of the University of Exeter suggests another explanation: this part of ancient Mtskheta may have housed settlers from Syria or Asia Minor, perhaps from Antioch itself. Neither idea is proven. The church has no direct link to modern Antakya in Turkey or to the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

What to see

  • The north wall and gate — smooth sandstone blocks, the oldest masonry on the site.
  • The south wall — added later in rubble, river cobbles and brick; the change of era is obvious.
  • The gate tower — fragments of the defensive storey with arrow slits.
  • The horseshoe apse set inside a rectangular east end — best seen from the east side.
  • The modern murals inside a bright little hall that feels full with ten people.
  • The convent yard with its vines, pomegranate trees and a model of the church by the entrance.

Is Antiokia Church worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already at Svetitskhoveli with 20 minutes to spare. It is one of the oldest church sites in Mtskheta, tour groups rarely make it here, and you can read centuries of rebuilding in its walls more easily than in the big cathedrals.

No, if you only have a couple of hours: Svetitskhoveli, Jvari and Samtavro matter more. It is not worth a trip from Tbilisi on its own — it rounds off a walk through old Mtskheta rather than replacing it.

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Antiokia vs Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro

Antiokiayou are hereSmall church of a women’s conventBy the confluence, east edge of the centreFree10–15 minutesAlmost none
SvetitskhoveliGeorgia’s patriarchal cathedralCentre of MtskhetaFree40–60 minutesBusy, especially midday
SamtavroWomen’s convent in the north of town≈ 600 m north of the cathedralFree30–40 minutesBusy at weekends

Short on time? Svetitskhoveli. Antiokia is a quick add-on for anyone who likes old stonework and quiet.

Churches and monasteries of Mtskheta compared

Every church and monastery in and around Mtskheta rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral521 hFree5 min walk
Antiokia Churchyou are here4515 minFree—
Jvari Monastery4545 minFree14 min walk
Samtavro Monastery4430 minFree13 min walk
Zedazeni Monastery381 hFree4.8 km
Shio-Mgvime Monastery351 hFree7.4 km
Ananuri Fortress291 hFree35.9 km

Old Mtskheta on foot in half a day

The cathedral, quiet Antiokia by the river, the old-town lanes and Samtavro convent — all walkable. YesGo sets the timings and walks.

  1. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral1 h · Free
  2. 5 min walk from the previous stopAntiokia Churchyou are here15 min · Free
  3. 8 min walk from the previous stopMtskheta Old Town and Arsukidze Street1 h · Free — public streets
  4. 8 min walk from the previous stopSamtavro Monastery30 min · Free, donations welcome

4 places · about 3 h 6 min with walks · 21 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Armaztsikhe-Bagineti

Mtskheta, Georgia

45 min · Free or 6 GEL — sources disagree · 8 min walk

Samtavro Monastery

Mtskheta, Georgia

30 min · Free, donations welcome · 13 min walk

How to do it right

  • Pair it with Svetitskhoveli: from the cathedral’s east wall it is just a few minutes’ walk.
  • The best part is outside: compare the even sandstone of the north wall with the patchwork south wall of river stone and brick.
  • Gate locked? The tower and walls are easy to see over the fence.
  • The slab with the architect’s Greek inscription is not at the church but in the Mtskheta Archaeological Museum.
  • On Svetitskhovloba, Mtskheta’s big church festival, the town is packed — Antiokia stays calm.

Questions

What is Antiokia Church in Mtskheta?

A small church of St Stephen the Protomartyr in a working women’s convent where the Aragvi meets the Mtkvari. It is the north aisle of an early basilica, rebuilt as a single hall in the 7th–8th centuries.

Where is Antiokia Church?

On the south-east edge of central Mtskheta by the river confluence, at 1 Antioki Street — about 400–500 metres east of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

How do I get to Antiokia Church from Tbilisi?

Metro to Didube, then a marshrutka to central Mtskheta (about 30 minutes, cash). From Svetitskhoveli’s west gate it is a 5–10-minute walk east towards the river.

Is Antiokia Church free?

Yes, entry is free. Candles and donations are paid in cash in lari.

What are the opening hours?

There is no official timetable. Unofficially it is open daily in daytime, roughly from 9:00–9:30 to 17:00–18:00.

What should I wear?

Shoulders and knees covered; women in a headscarf and skirt, men in long trousers. Bring your own wrap — the convent may not have spares.

Why is it called Antioch?

Either after Bishop Ioane, whom tradition links with the Church of Antioch, or after settlers from Syria who may have lived here. Neither is proven.

How old is Antiokia Church?

The first basilica is traditionally dated to the 4th–5th centuries, today’s church to the 7th–8th centuries and the gate tower to the 16th–17th centuries.

Is Antiokia Church worth it?

Only as a short add-on to Svetitskhoveli. With limited time, see the cathedral, Jvari and Samtavro first.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Georgian National Tourism Administration (georgia.travel): Antioquia Church — history, name, architect’s inscription
  • Georgian Wikipedia: ანტიოქიის ტაძარი — after Description of Monuments of History and Culture of Georgia, vol. 5, Tbilisi, 1990; Wikidata Q12861755
  • Georgian Travel Guide: Antioch Church — architecture, repairs, convent
  • Madloba: Antiokhia Church, Mtskheta — history, address, hours, dress
  • Georgian Holidays: The Antioch Monastery — dating of the parts, murals, hours
  • Georgia Voyage: Church of Antioch, Mtskheta — repairs, services
  • Architecture and Asceticism (University of Exeter), Emma Loosley: Antioki (Antioch) — the basilica and the name
  • OpenStreetMap — location and street
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 02.11.2026 ·
How we checkedHistory, the architect and the repairs are checked against at least two sources, led by the Georgian National Tourism Administration. Dates differ: tourism sources give the 4th–5th centuries, while Georgian Wikipedia, citing the academic monuments survey, dates today’s church to the 7th–8th centuries and the gate tower to the 16th–17th (Madloba says up to the 18th); we show both. A link to St Nino appears in only one guide, so we leave it out, and sources disagree on King Archil’s relation to King Mirian, so we skip it. There is no official timetable: 9:30–17:00 (Madloba) and 9:00–18:00 (Georgian Holidays) are unofficial. The walk from the cathedral is worked out from Wikidata and OpenStreetMap coordinates.

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