Which monastery complexes are worth visiting in Georgia in the first place? Samtavro and Shiomgvime temples.

According to historical sources, the residence of zrismtavari Kartli was located here in the VI-VIII centuries, hence the name Samtavro. Nino lived here, who came to Georgia to preach Christianity. Currently in Samtavro there is a convent.

The Great Cathedral is a large cross-domed structure (27x23 m.) with extensions on the south, north and west sides. In 1283, as a result of an earthquake, the dome collapsed, which was restored at the turn of the XIII-XIV centuries. At the end of the XVII century, in the second half of the XIX century and in 1974, the cathedral was overhauled. In the south-western corner are the graves of the first Christian king of Georgia, Mirian and Queen Nana. The tombstone monument was renovated in the XIX century . The paintings of the cathedral belong to the XVII century .

The Church of St. Nino is a small (6.2x3.9 m.) domed structure and is located to the east of the large cathedral. It was built by King Mirian on the site of the blackberry thickets, where Saint Nino originally stopped. The frescoes of the interior of the church depict individual moments from the life of St. Nino and other subjects. The paintings are primitive and belong to the late period. The three-storey bell tower (4.7x5.8 m.), located on an elevated hill twenty meters to the northwest of the cathedral, was built in the XV-XVI century. of well-hewn yellowish-gray sandstone squares. Only the damaged cylindrical tower, which is located in the south-western corner of the courtyard and was built in the XVIII century, remained from the fence (this tower is currently a dormitory of a convent). The existing fortress wall dates back to the XIX century .

Monastery complexShiomgwime - one of the remarkable religious and cultural centers of Georgia during the feudal period. It is 40 km away. from Tbilisi, in Mtskheta district, on the left bank of the Kura. It was founded by one of the Syrian holy fathers, Shio in the II half of the VI century. According to legend, Shio spent the last years of his life in a dark and deep cave, and after his death he was buried here, according to his will. It is from here that the name "Shios mgvime" - ("cave of Shio") originated. In Shiomgvim, his grave serves as a shrine.

The monastery complex of Shiomgvime includes: the domed church of John the Baptist (mid-VI century), the upper church (XI-XII centuries), the refectory (XII century) and the chapel located near the church (XII century). The monastery was supplied with water from the village of Shaltbi. Shiomgvime was the center of culture and enlightenment of ancient Georgia. There was a rich fund of Georgian manuscripts in the library of Shiomgvime. The monasteries owned trading shops in Tbilisi. Cattle were bred on the territory of the monastery specifically for sale. There was also a court (incomplete). The monastery paid taxes to the diocese and the state on a preferential basis.

In the period from the VI to the beginning of the XII century, the monastery was under the direct patronage of the Patriarch Katalikos, and David Agmashenebeli made the monastery the property of the Georgian kings. In XIII-XVIII BB. The political and economic situation of Shiomgwime is in decline. In the XIX-XX centuries. Shiomgwime has been thoroughly updated.