Mtskheta Legends: Two Rivers, History and Ancient City

According to legend, the Georgian city of Mtskheta was founded in the 5th century BC and for some time was the capital of the early Georgian state.  Not all Georgian historians and scientists accept this fact as the truth.

Whatever it may be, ancient Mtskheta and its surroundings abound with various cultural and historical monuments, one can say, for every taste.

The construction of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dates back to the 11th century. It is considered one of the main Christian shrines of Georgia.  Surrounded by a stone wall, the temple complex is somewhat similar to an ancient castle.

An interesting point is that the Svetitskhoveli Temple has its own legend. In ancient times, the robe of Jesus Christ was hidden on the site of an old Christian church. After some time, a huge cedar tree grew there, which was cut down in order to make columns.

Incense oil began to ooze from one of them. The pilgrims who came to the column had the opportunity to be healed with the help of oil. Thus, the name of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral appeared, which means "life-giving pillar" in Georgian. It should be noted that the same Pillar still exists today. It is located in the center of the building.

The monastery of Jvari, where Lermontovsky Mtsyri lived, is the second most important attraction of Mtskheta. It would have been erected on the site of the cross that Saint Nino put up in honor of the baptism of Georgia.

Lovers of defensive structures, legends and stories about medieval wars will not leave indifferent the fortress of Bebristsikhe. Well, those who are in Mtskheta for the first time should definitely see the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers. This view once inspired Lermontov himself:

... Where, merging, they make noise,

Embracing, like two sisters,

Streams of Aragva and Kura...