The Svetitskhoveli Church stands on the lands of Akhasheni in the Gurjaani Municipality, approximately three kilometers west of the village center, set back from the residential area, among vineyards.
The name refers to the Svetitskhoveli Church in Mtskheta. In Kakheti, such dedications usually signify that the village or part of it historically belonged to the Mtskheta Cathedral: Svetitskhoveli has repeatedly competed with the David Gareji Monastery for control of Kakhetian villages. There is no confirmation regarding this specific church, so this is a general context, not its history.
Akhasheni is known to others. It is one of Kakheti's wine-producing microzones, and a semi-sweet red wine made from Saperavi is named after it.
🕍 What to see
The village church and its courtyard, the surrounding Akhasheni vineyards. 1.3 kilometers to the east stands the 19th-century Trinity Church of Akhasheni, built of river cobblestones interspersed with brick and restored in 2004.
💰 Free or paid
Admission is free.
Have you been to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Akhasheni? Leave a review: tell us how to get there and what locals say about the church's age.
