The Itria Convent of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is located in the town of Surami, Khashuri Municipality, among the sights, entertainment and leisure spots of the town. The historical and religious complex dates to the 16th-17th centuries, comprising the Church of the Mother of God, a bell tower and a defensive rampart. The church, a three-nave basilica, was built by order of Catholicos Dorotheos.
For more on the monastery's history, see the article on Itria Monastery.
In 1645, King Rostom of Kartli and his wife Mariam gifted the monastery serfs and land, contributing to its expansion. The bell tower was added in 1656 at the initiative of Bezhan Chkheidze and the church's abbot, with a defensive wall built the same year. A cemetery lies close to the monastery.
It's worth being aware of possible confusion with the signage. According to several independent reviews, visitors on site sometimes encounter a mismatch between signage and the monastery's actual status: today it's an active women's convent, though some signs or markings on site may be misleading on this point. It's worth confirming the current status locally if in doubt.
























