The church of John the Baptist is cut into the rock on the right bank of the Mtkvari, between Vardzia and Mirashkhani, in the high rock massif of the great canyon. Local people call the place Samertskhle and Vertashi. Sources assign the church to the 10th century.
Getting here means crossing the Mtkvari. A high cliff rises before you with door and window openings cut one above another. The entrance to the church is a small low door in the rock facade, and a relief cross is carved on its stone.
A tall massive stone stair rises at the entrance, its steps now almost worn away, so a new one of wood and iron has been set beside it. Through an opening on the west side a narrow dark stair leads into a fairly spacious room: the church is of the triconch type, a rare form among rock cut churches.
💡 Tip
- A church cut into the rock of the great Mtkvari canyon
- A relief cross on the stone of the entrance door
- A triconch plan, rare among rock cut churches
🚗 Getting there
- Aspindza Municipality, Samtskhe Javakheti
- The Build Route button will take you to the spot
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