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Mtskheta

Mtskheta - ancient capital of Georgia, founded according to legends by son of Japhet, Mtskhetos. Archeological excavations revealed long and interesting history of the city. The big cathedral of XI C. - Svetitskhoveli was built on place of first Christian georgian church, which was connected with legends of the shirt of our Lord, brought in Georgia.

Mtskheta was the capital of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Iveria from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD and it was here that King Mirian and Queen Nana were converted to Christianity by St. Nino in the 4th century(337).

Many of Georgia's oldest and most beautiful churches can be found here. These include Javari (6th-7th century), and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where fragments of the robe of Christ are kept and Samratovo convent which stands on the site of Georgia's first church and contains the tombs of King Mirian and Queen Nana.

Jvari (6th-7th cc), a unique example of early Christian architecture, was built on the site where one of the first crosses in Georgia was erected.

"The Column of Life" is the main church of Mtskheta. It is the essence of the pride and admiration of Georgians in their 1,500 year old Christian history. It is a sacred place where fragments of the robe of Christ are kept and is one of the best examples of Georgian rennaissance church architecture. It served as the place of burial and coronation of Georgian kings for centuries.