Kazbek, Gergeti Glacier and Gergeti Trinity Church

Mount Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek) is located in northern Georgia, on the lateral slope of the Caucasus Mountains, on the border with Russia. At 5,033 meters, Mkinvartsveri is the highest peak in eastern Georgia. Locals call it the "Bride of the Gorge," the neighboring Tushets call it the "Lion," and the Pshavs call it "Gergeti." Russians call it "Kazbek," and Ossetians call it "Urskhokh," meaning "Snow Mountain."

Mkinvartsveri is an extinct volcano, the last eruption of which, according to some scientists, occurred 6,000 years ago. Avalanches flow from three sides—the southern, eastern, and northeastern. The summit is covered with glaciers, which melt over considerable distances. According to literary sources, Mkinvartsveri was first conquered in 1799 by Joseph the Preacher (Pavlenishvili), who carved a cell in the rocks here and preached Christianity for twenty years. The famous English mountaineer Douglas Freshfield is known to have reached the summit in 1886, and scientific study of Mkinvartsveri began in 1923, following the first Georgian expedition.

The Gergeti Glacier descends the southeastern slope of Mkinvartsveri. At 7.1 km long, it is the longest in Georgia and 11 km² wide. The glacier's tongue reaches 2,900 meters above sea level. The Kazbegi High Mountain Meteorological Station, founded 70 years ago, is located nearby. The lowest temperature in Georgia (-42º) was recorded here, due to the altitude of the area (3700 m above sea level) and the Gergeti glacier.

Gergeti is associated with one mythological and one historical monument (the Gergeti Sameba). Mythology is linked to the Betlemi (Bethlehem) cave and Amirani, who is chained to the Caucasus Mountains. According to legend, a god chained Amirani to the rock here and "covered him with the snow-glacier Gergeti and Kazbek."

Gergeti Sameba (Trinity Church) is located in the Stepantsminda district on the right bank of the Chkhera River (a left tributary of the Terek), at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level. This church, in its composition and harmonious blend with the landscape, is an outstanding example of Georgian church architecture. Situated on a mountaintop, it is visible from afar and has a truly spectacular view from the Terek valley.

Gergeti Trinity is the main chapel in Khevi Province and the only domed church in the Georgian highlands. This temple was built by order of the Georgian king George V Brtskinvale (the brilliant - 1318-1346) during the period when he drafted the "Code" ("Dzeglisdeba") for the highlanders and contributed to the establishment of Christianity in the mountainous regions of Georgia after centuries of Mongol rule and complete devastation.

The architectural complex is surrounded by a fence and consists of the domed Sameba Church (1320s), a bell tower (second half of the 14th century), and a traditional highland "sabcho" (15th century) where elders would gather to resolve matters of importance to the mountain tribes. The church is constructed of dressed andesite stone. The facades of the church and the two-story bell tower, as well as the domed drum, are decorated with carved ornaments. According to Vakhushti Bagrationi, during the wars, the treasures of the Mtskheta Patriarchate and the cross of St. Nino were kept here.

By decree of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, the feast of Gergeti Trinity was established and is celebrated annually on July 16. The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28) is also widely celebrated here.