Old and handsome Mtskheta

Old and handsome Mtskheta

Another beautiful destination in Georgia is a little and one of the oldest towns - Mtskheta.

If you ever visit Georgia you should see how beautiful Mtskheta is. It's near Tbilisi and you can get in there in some minutes. It is located approximately 20 kilometers north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers.


The rare blend of cultural values had ruled in this part of the world since the Bronze Age until prosperous Christian era over the unique eclectic lifestyle creating the mood of the town which is as old as the history of Georgia. Mtskheta is the most religious city of Georgia and it is where Christianity in Georgia takes its origin.
To tell the truth, my parents christened me right between Kura and Aragvi river mouths, the place is quite beautiful with beautiful views. 


Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Remains of towns at this location have been dated to earlier than the year 1000 BC, and Mtskheta was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC – 5th century AD.

If you ever visit Mtskheta you should see 6 essential monuments:

• Svetitkhoveli Cathedral - 11th century

• Jvari Monastery - 6th century. special significance are early inscriptions, which form a valuable reference in the study of the origins of the early Georgian alphabet

• The ruins of Armaztsikhe fortress (3rd century BC),
• The Armaztsikhe acropolis (dating to the late 1st millennium BC),
• Remains of a "Pompey's bridge" (according to legends built by Roman legionnaires of Pompey the Great in 1st century BC),
• The fragmentary remains of a royal palace (1st–3rd century AD), a nearby tomb of the 1st century AD.