Bodbe Monastery: the tomb of St. Nino, the woman who converted Georgia to Christianity
In the 4th century AD, a young slave named Nino arrived from Cappadocia in Georgia and achieved what armies and diplomacy had not: she converted King Mirian III and his entire kingdom to Christianity. St. Nino is Georgia's most venerated spiritual figure, and her tomb rests in Bodbe Monastery, beside the most romantic village in the Caucasus: Sighnaghi.
History: from St. Nino's tomb to a convent
St. Nino died in the 4th century and was buried in this spot in Kakheti, which immediately became a place of pilgrimage. The first monastery was founded in the 9th century; the current building dates from the 17th century, with 19th-century renovations during the Russian period.
During the Soviet era, the monastery was converted into a hospital. After Georgia's independence it was restored in the 1990s and today operates as an active convent with cloistered nuns. The relics of St. Nino are preserved in a silver niche beneath the main altar of the basilica.
Architecture: a three-nave basilica among cypress trees
The Bodbe basilica is an example of the three-nave, three-apse style of medieval Georgian architecture. Its simple exterior contrasts with the spiritual atmosphere of the interior, where the silver niche with St. Nino's relics is the focus of devotion. The bell tower was added between 1862 and 1885.
The monastery garden, with its ancient cypresses, plum trees and wildflowers, is a place of exceptional peace with views over the Alazani valley and the vineyards of Kakheti.
How to combine Bodbe with Sighnaghi
Bodbe is just 2 km from Sighnaghi, Kakheti's most picturesque village, known as the "city of love" for its 24-hour civil registry. The combination is perfect: visit Bodbe in the morning (quieter atmosphere) and then stroll through the cobblestone streets of Sighnaghi with its views over the Caucasus. From Tbilisi it is 100 km (1.5 hours by car).
Frequently asked questions
Who was St. Nino and why is she so important in Georgia?
St. Nino was a young Christian woman from Cappadocia (modern Turkey) who arrived in Georgia in 327 AD and converted King Mirian III and Queen Nana to Christianity. From that point Georgia adopted Christianity as its state religion. St. Nino is considered "equal to the apostles" in the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Are women allowed to enter Bodbe Monastery?
Yes, both men and women can visit the monastery. As it is an active convent, appropriate dress is required (shoulders and knees covered, headscarf for women) and silence and respect for the precinct are expected. It is a place of active devotion, not just a tourist attraction.
Is there a sacred spring at Bodbe?
Yes, about 10 minutes' walk downhill from the monastery there is a sacred cold-water spring where, according to tradition, St. Nino performed healing miracles. It is a pilgrimage site where the faithful dip their hands and face in the spring water.