Jvari Monastery: the Cross Monastery that dominates Mtskheta

Few landscapes in Georgia are as powerful as the one seen from Jvari Monastery: from its rocky crag at 650 metres altitude, the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers stretches below, and at the foot, like a perfect miniature, lies the sacred city of Mtskheta. This 6th-century monastery is one of Georgia's most recognisable symbols.

Monasterio Jvari Georgia — iglesia siglo VI sobre Mtskheta confluencia ríos
Jvari Monastery above the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi, beside Mtskheta

History: St Nino and the first cross of Georgia

According to Georgian tradition, it was here that St Nino (who evangelised Georgia in the 4th century) planted a wooden cross made of vine, bound with her own hair, triggering the kingdom's conversion to Christianity. A chapel was built over the site of that first cross in the 5th century, and the present monastery dates from the 6th–7th centuries.

The church is an exceptional example of early Georgian Christian art: UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List in 1994 as part of Mtskheta and other monuments of the region.

Architecture: early Georgian art at its finest

Jvari is a tetraconch (four-apsed plan) with a central dome, an architectural type that profoundly influenced the subsequent development of Georgian ecclesiastical architecture. The sculptural reliefs on the exterior — donor figures, geometric ornaments and crosses — display remarkable delicacy for their era.

iglesia georgiana medieval — arquitectura piedra siglo VI cruz inscrita
Jvari's architecture influenced all the great Georgian temples that came after it

How to visit Jvari and Mtskheta

Jvari is 20 km from Tbilisi and 5 km from Mtskheta. The ideal combination is to visit Jvari first (to see Mtskheta from above) and then descend to Mtskheta to see Svetitskhoveli Cathedral from below. By taxi from Tbilisi: around 40–60 GEL for a half-day trip. Jvari entry is free.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jvari on the UNESCO list?

Yes, Jvari Monastery has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994, as part of the "Mtskheta — Historical Monuments of Georgia" site, together with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Monastery.

How do you get to Jvari Monastery from Tbilisi?

The most common option is to take a taxi from Tbilisi (30–40 min, around 30–40 GEL) and combine it with a visit to Mtskheta. There are also marshrutkas to Mtskheta from Didube metro station; from the town you can take a taxi up to the monastery.

What is most special about Jvari?

The panoramic views from the church are unmatched: you see the confluence of two rivers, the historic city of Mtskheta at your feet and the Caucasus mountains in the background. At dawn or sunset, the golden light over the landscape is magical.