The best old monastery complexes in Georgia. Existing old monasteries. Shiomgvime Monastery complex.

The monastery complex of Siomgwime is located in the municipality, on the left bank Chickens, on the southern slope of the ridge. It was founded by one of the Assyrian holy fathers Shio in the II half of the VI century. The complex is located deep in the Mtskheta Valley at the foot of the cliffs that surround the monastery like walls. There are many caves on the walls of the rocks, where monastic cells and shelters were arranged.

The complex includes buildings of various periods: the domed Church of John the Baptist (mid–VI century), the church - crypt of Shio, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a tower (XII century), bell tower, refectory (XII century), caves carved into the rock, the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord (XII century), monks' dwellings, a spring and water supply.

The oldest of them is the Church of John the Baptist. It was built in the VI century, during the life of Shio Mgvimeli. It is a typical example of Georgian dome architecture of the first time. The church belongs to the type of "free cross", and is half in the ground. It is built of roughly hewn cobblestones. In subsequent periods – from the XI century to the XIII century, premises for various purposes were idle to the church. The church was painted in the 90s of the XIX century.

The church – crypt of Shio Mgvimeli is a deep cave (well) where the Saint spent the last years of his life. According to his will, he was buried here. In a later period, in the XI century, a church was built over the cave.

For centuries, the monastery complex of Shiomgvime was the most important center of culture and enlightenment of Ancient Georgia, where Shio Mgvimeli, Arsen Ikaltoeli, Arsen Beri, George Khutsemonazoni (XIII-XIV centuries), Theodosius (1878-1881) and others conducted their activities. According to information from 1804, the monastery's library contained a rich fund of manuscripts, which "barely fit on 10 wagons."

The monastery of Shiomgwime is active today.

Anyone can visit it. Tourists note the incredible energy of this place, everyone describes the feeling of strength and spirit around the monastery and inside it.

Learn more about ancient monasteries, fortresses and other sights of Georgia on the website madloba.info . We post interesting and useful information for tourists about everything that is in the country.