Martvili Monastery: Male Cloister with Bath House and Chapel

Every September 25th, the day of remembrance of Giorgi Chkondideli, David Agmashenebeli's tutor and a renowned scholar and scribe, a celebration is held on the complex's grounds, featuring cultural and sporting events.

The Martvili (Chkondidi) Monastery Complex is one of the most significant monuments in Western Georgia. The complex is located in the town of Martvili in Samegrelo, on a high hill offering a picturesque view of the Colchis Lowland.

According to legend, in ancient times, Chkondidi was a hotbed of pagan and religious worship, where locals worshiped the idol Kapunia—the patron of fertility, childbirth, and family well-being—by sacrificing infants to it near a tall oak tree. St. Andrew the First-Called miraculously destroyed the oak tree and the idol's image. It was on the site of the oak tree that the first church was built, followed in the 7th century by the Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral.

The monastery complex includes a large domed church named after the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chikovani Church, a column, a chapel, a fence, and various buildings. For centuries, the monastery was a significant religious and cultural center and played a vital role in the life of the country. From 1104, the Archbishop of Chkondide served as prime minister (mtsignobartuhutsesi).

Books were translated and original works were created at the monastery. At various times, renowned scholars and scribes such as John Minchkh (10th century), Giorgi Chkondideli (11th century), and others worked here.

Martvili Monastery is the burial place of the ruling princes (mtavari) of Samegrelo and members of their family. Levan Dadiani, Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani, the last ruler of Samegrelo, David Levanovich Dadiani, and others are buried here. It is believed that Bagrat IV, King of Georgia, is also buried here, although his tomb has not been found.

Today, Martvili Monastery is the seat of the Georgian Patriarchate. A monastery also functions here.