Mtskheta Old Town and Arsukidze Street
Mtskheta, Georgia
Samtavro Monastery, Mtskheta
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Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; donations welcome
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily, roughly 9:00–18:00 — unofficial
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; no shorts for men; headscarf and skirt for women
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Photos
- Not inside the churches; ask a nun before shooting in the courtyard
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Location
- Davit Aghmashenebeli St, Mtskheta, ≈ 600 m north of Svetitskhoveli
- From Tbilisi
- Marshrutka from Didube bus station, ≈ 30 min, about 2 GEL cash
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
Mirian & NanaGeorgia's first Christian king and queen are buried in the main church
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English and Russian WikipediaGeorgian National Tourism AdministrationSt Gabrielthe monk Gabriel Urgebadze died here in 1995 and was canonised by the Georgian Church in 2012
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English and Russian Wikipedia, Gabriel Urgebadze11th centurythe main Church of the Transfiguration, rebuilt under Catholicos Melchizedek I
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English and Russian WikipediaGeorgian National Tourism Administration1994UNESCO World Heritage listing, with Svetitskhoveli and Jvari, as the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
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UNESCO World Heritage CentreEnglish WikipediaMakvlovani“the blackberry place” — the chapel where St Nino is said to have lived
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Eurasia.travelTonkosti4th centuryKing Mirian III built the first church here, according to hagiographic tradition
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English and Russian Wikipedia1283an earthquake brought down the dome; it was rebuilt by the early 14th century
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English Wikipedia2014St Gabriel's relics were uncovered and laid in a reliquary in the church
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English and Russian WikipediaOrthoChristianIveron icona revered icon of the Mother of God and a piece of the Life-Giving Pillar are kept here
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Russian WikipediaTonkostiConvent of St Ninothe complex combines the Transfiguration church and a nunnery
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English and Russian WikipediaIs Samtavro Monastery worth visiting?
Yes, if you are already in Mtskheta — it is free, ten minutes on foot from Svetitskhoveli and takes barely half an hour. You get an 11th-century church with Georgia's first Christian royals, the chapel where Christianity in the country is said to have begun, and a garden courtyard looking straight up at Jvari.
It is not a showpiece. Photography is discouraged and the atmosphere belongs to worshippers, not tourists. If you only have an hour in town, Svetitskhoveli comes first. If you care about Orthodox Georgia, the pilgrim crowd at St Gabriel's reliquary is the most vivid thing you will see in Mtskheta.
Opening hours and entry
There is no ticket: entry to the convent and both churches is free, and a donation box sits inside. The monastery has no official website or posted timetable we could find. Unofficial listings give roughly 9:00–18:00 every day.
During the liturgy you can still stand quietly at the back, but this is not the moment to wander around. Weekday mornings are calmest. Candles and prayer notes are sold in the small church shop for cash in Georgian lari — cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi shops and cafés, but bring small notes for churches and minibuses.
St Gabriel's tomb at Samtavro
Most pilgrims come for St Gabriel (Urgebadze), a Tbilisi-born monk who spent his last years at Samtavro and died here on 2 November 1995. He is venerated as a confessor who openly defended his faith in Soviet times.
He was first buried in the courtyard on the north side of the Transfiguration church, by monastic custom without a coffin. The Georgian Church canonised him in 2012; his relics were uncovered in February 2014, briefly taken to Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral and returned to Samtavro that spring. They now rest in a reliquary inside the church, while the original grave in the yard is still venerated.
Next to the church stands a small round tower where Gabriel is remembered as having lived. At weekends and on feast days expect a queue at the reliquary.
History in brief
Tradition places the royal garden here, where St Nino, the woman from Cappadocia who converted Georgia, first lived in a shelter woven from blackberry bushes. King Mirian III converted, built a church on the spot and was buried in it with Queen Nana.
The cross-domed church you see now dates from the first half of the 11th century, rebuilt under King George I and Catholicos Melchizedek I shortly after Svetitskhoveli. An earthquake in 1283 destroyed the dome, which was restored by the early 14th century. The frescoes are 16th–17th century; the bell tower and walls are late medieval.
What to see at Samtavro
- Church of the Transfiguration — carved octagonal drum and sandstone façades outside, the tombs of King Mirian and Queen Nana inside.
- St Gabriel's reliquary in the main church and his first grave in the courtyard.
- St Nino's chapel (Makvlovani) to the right of the gate — the blackberry-bush site, painted with scenes from her life. Easy to miss, so look for it first.
- The Iveron icon of the Mother of God and a fragment of the Life-Giving Pillar.
- Relics of St Shio, founder of the cave monastery of Shio-Mgvime outside town.
- The bell tower and round tower along the wall.
- The view of Jvari on its hilltop, straight across the Aragvi from the courtyard.
How to get to Samtavro Monastery
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Mtskheta Old Town and Arsukidze Street is about 9 min away on foot.
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is about 9 min away on foot.
- Antiokia Church is about 12 min away on foot.
More tips
- From central Tbilisi take the metro to Didube and walk to Didube bus station. Minibuses (marshrutkas) to Mtskheta leave when full; the sign is in Georgian, so ask drivers for “Mtskheta”.
- The ride takes about 30 minutes. You get off on the main street, a 5-minute walk from Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Pay the driver in cash — around 2 GEL.
- From the cathedral's west gate on Arsukidze Street, head to Davit Aghmashenebeli Street and walk north through the old town.
- After about 10 minutes you reach the convent wall and gate. Put on your scarf or wrap before you go in.
- To return, catch a minibus back to Didube on the main street, or call a Bolt taxi — it costs much more than the minibus but picks you up at the gate.
Before you go
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You are ready for the visit
Samtavro, Svetitskhoveli or Jvari
| Samtavroyou are here | Working convent, St Gabriel's relics | North of the old town | 10-min walk from the cathedral | 30–40 min | Pilgrims, quiet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Svetitskhoveli | Georgia's great 11th-century cathedral | Centre of Mtskheta | 5-min walk from the minibus | ≈ 1 hour | Everyone |
| Jvari | Hilltop church above the river confluence | Hill across the Aragvi | Taxi or tour | ≈ 1 hour with the drive | Views and history |
All three fit into one trip to Mtskheta. If St Gabriel is your reason to come, do Samtavro first while the morning is quiet.
Churches of Mtskheta compared
Every church and monastery in Mtskheta that YesGo has scored. Tap a column header to sort.
| Svetitskhoveli Cathedral | 52 | 1 h | Free | 9 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jvari Monastery | 45 | 45 min | Free | 26 min walk |
| Antiokia Church | 45 | 15 min | Free | 13 min walk |
| Samtavro Monasteryyou are here | 44 | 30 min | Free | — |
| Zedazeni Monastery | 38 | 1 h | Free | 4.8 km |
| Shio-Mgvime Monastery | 35 | 1 h | Free | 6.7 km |
| Ananuri Fortress | 29 | 1 h | Free | 35.3 km |
Mtskheta on foot in half a day
Samtavro first thing, then down the main street to the cathedral and little Antiokia church, and finally a taxi up to Jvari. YesGo sets the timings and walks.
- Samtavro Monasteryyou are here30 min · Free, donations welcome
- 8 min walk from the previous stopMtskheta Old Town and Arsukidze Street1 h · Free — public streets
- 3 min walk from the previous stopSvetitskhoveli Cathedral1 h · Free
- 5 min walk from the previous stopAntiokia Church15 min · Free
- 14 min walk from the previous stopJvari Monastery45 min · Free
5 places · about 4 h with walks · 30 min on foot in total
Nearby and on your route
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Mtskheta, Georgia
Antiokia Church
Mtskheta, Georgia
Armaztsikhe-Bagineti
Mtskheta, Georgia
How to do it right
- Go on a weekday morning, when the queue at St Gabriel's reliquary is shorter.
- Step into St Nino's tiny chapel by the gate first — most visitors walk straight past it.
- Take your photo of Jvari from the courtyard rather than trying to shoot inside.
- Carry small lari notes: the church shop and minibus drivers rarely take cards.
- Avoid Sunday morning if you are sightseeing — the liturgy fills the church.
Questions
What are Samtavro Monastery's opening hours?
It is open daily during the day. There is no official timetable; unofficial listings give about 9:00–18:00, with access limited during services.
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Entry is free; a donation is welcome.
Where is St Gabriel buried?
At Samtavro. He was buried in the courtyard in 1995; since his relics were uncovered in 2014 they have rested in a reliquary inside the Church of the Transfiguration.
What is the dress code at Samtavro?
Shoulders and knees covered, no shorts for men. Women should wear a headscarf and a skirt; scarves are usually handed out at the gate.
Can you take photos inside?
Sources disagree, so assume not inside the churches. In the courtyard, ask a nun first and never photograph the sisters without permission.
How do I get to Samtavro from Tbilisi?
Metro to Didube, then a marshrutka to Mtskheta (about 30 minutes) and a 10–15-minute walk north along the main street. A Bolt taxi or a tour is the easier option.
How long do you need at Samtavro?
30–40 minutes for both churches and the courtyard; up to an hour if you join the queue at St Gabriel's reliquary at a weekend.
Who is buried at Samtavro?
King Mirian III and Queen Nana, the first Christian rulers of Georgia, and St Gabriel (Urgebadze). Relics of St Shio are also kept here.
Is Samtavro the same as Svetitskhoveli?
No. Svetitskhoveli is the big cathedral in the centre; Samtavro is the convent about 600 metres north of it. They are 10 minutes apart on foot.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Samtavro Monastery; Gabriel Urgebadze
- Russian Wikipedia: Монастырь Самтавро; Гавриил (Ургебадзе); Wikidata Q2038190
- Georgian National Tourism Administration: Samtavro Church
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
- OrthoChristian / Pravoslavie.ru: translation of St Gabriel's relics to Samtavro, 2014; Here Labored Elder Gabriel
- Eurasia.travel: Samtavro Monastery; The Chapel of Saint Nino (Makvlovani)
- Tonkosti: Монастырь Самтавро
- Triplinkhub: visiting rules and transport from Tbilisi
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