Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთა) is one of oldest cities
of the country of Georgia (in Kartli province of
Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi. Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of
Iberia during the 3rd century BC -
5th century AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity
in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
Confluence of the Aragvi and Kura (
Mtkvari) rivers.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th
century, see photo) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta are amongst
the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture. In Mtskheta can also be found the Armaztsikhe fortress (3rd century BC), the Armaztsikhe acropolis (dating to the late 1st millennium BC), the fragmentary remains of a royal palace
(1st-3rd century AD), a nearby tomb of the 1st century AD, a small church of the
4th century, the Samtavro Monastery (11th century), the
fortress of Bebris Tsikhe (14th century), the Institute of Archaeology, and the garden of
Mikheil Mamulashvili.
The "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
The city is now the administrative centre of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
Sister cities
External links
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Coordinates:
41°51′N, 44°43′E
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