The Mtskheta Church of Jvari (Holy Cross)

Location :

• David Tevzadze

  19 December 2017

  JVARI
  The masterpiece of Early Christian Orthodox architecture Jvari Monastery is dated 585-604 cc AD. Located on the hill top near the town Mtskheta, it is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1994. The name is translated as the Monastery of the Cross.
  
  According to traditional accounts, in the early 4th century Saint Nino stayed here to pray and erected a wooden cross on Mtskheta’s highest hill. The church was built on the crest of a cliff at a confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi. It is a representative of the tetra conch architectural type that was popular not only in Georgia but also in Byzantine world.
  
  Jvari served as a model for many other churches in the country. Unusual and varied relief sculptures decorate its façades. The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. According to the legend pilgrims visiting the site shed tears while praying and the nearby natural lake was named the Lake of tears.
  
  The harmonious relationship between the landscape, architectural forms and divisions, the well-thought-out disposition of decorative elements and splendid relieves carved on big slabs of a stone give the south and east walls special expressiveness. Among the reliefs of the east wall are found the portraits of the kings who built the church. Included in UNESCO world heritage sights, the monument is still used for major celebrations.
  
  Driving distance from Tbilisi is 19 km (20 min)

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• Janice Dias

  10 December 2017

  The place is beautiful it was however very windy the day we went you can see the entire city from up here the church is also very beautiful..

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• Maxim Tsalkin

  04 September 2017

  Veto nice view to Aragvi

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• Jerry George

  07 May 2017

  Visited during Feb, the whole place was covered with Snow. Like a White blanket. Beautiful place.. U'll get a lot of Photo Ops.

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• Roi Yahud

  29 September 2016

  Must place for a visit when you are in Georgia. Very nice church and beautiful view of the landscape from it.

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• Daniel Cauchi

  14 September 2016

  Incredible views of the rivers from outside the monastery

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• Miroslav Kranjc

  09 September 2016

  Jvari church is outstanding monument of Georgian architecture. It is positioned on the top of the rocky slope above Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Under it one can see the town of Mtskheta, which used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Iberia.
  In the interior one can really feel the history of the place and see why it is part of world heritage.

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• Maciej Stefański

  15 July 2016

  Old church on top of the hill, amazing views from the top

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• Jaka Birsa

  11 July 2016

  Worth the cost of taxi, views are amazing, church is ok too

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