Samtavro Monastery

Samtavro is a medieval monastic complex, located at the center of a historical town Mtskheta, near the capital Tbilisi, Kartli province, East Georgia. Samtavro integrates four historical parts and structures: main church of transfiguration, smaller church of St. Nino, a belfry and surrounding wall.

The present-day Samtavro Transfiguration Church was constructed in the 11th century. However, archaeological findings point at the remains of an older church on the same place. Church has a cross-dome design, and was renovated significantly several times in the 13th, 17th and 19th centuries.

Smaller, St. Nino's church of Samtavro is estimated to be built in the early medieval period.

A three-storey belfry of Samtavro is dated to the 15th-16th c.c. Defensive wall is dated to the 18th century. It has been rebuilt and restructured in the 19th century.

Graves of King Mirian and Queen Nana is located in Samtavro. According to the early medieval Georgian annals, Mirian was the first Christian king of Iberia, converted by the Christian missionary - St. Nino.

Working hours: every day 09:00-18:00
Admission: limited during the liturgy
Entrance: free of charge
Dress code: required

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