Pitareti Monastery stands in the gorge of the Ktsia River, about 12 km southwest of Tetritskaro, in Tetritskaro Municipality, Kvemo Kartli, among the churches, cathedrals and monasteries of the region. The monastery was founded in 1213-1222, during the reign of Giorgi IV Lasha, son of Queen Tamar. Today it's an active monastery under the protection of the Manglisi and Tsalka eparchy.
The complex extends well beyond a single church: alongside the main building, the grounds preserve a bell tower, a wine cellar, a fortress wall, a platform and utility structures. The monastery also served as the family tomb of the noble Orbelishvili family, whose gravestones and epitaphs on the grounds tell part of their story. The church's carved stone ornamentation deserves particular attention, executed with the fine craftsmanship characteristic of early 13th-century Georgian architecture.
According to visitor reviews, the road to the monastery has become easier to navigate in recent times, making the visit less demanding than before. Monks can be found on the grounds, and according to some visitors, it's occasionally possible to speak with them directly.
