Tbilisi to Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery

Mtskheta was the former capital of Georgia. The Holy Cross Monastery of Jvari, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Monastery are 3 main site to see in Mtskheta. A walk down Arsukidze Street is another thing to do, thee are several BnB and eating places on that street.

Mtskheta is a UNESCO World heritage site. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/708

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral 

Minibuses ("Marshrutka" some people use this Russian word) run from Tbilisi to Mtskheta leaves several times every day. You have to go to Didube bus station. The price is 1 GEL one way, per person. I took the metro to Didube and finding a minibus is not easy as there are 100's of them there. Finally found one. Minibus was over crowded. From Mtskheta to Jvari and back I had to take a cab, the cost was 15 GEL.

If I had to do it again, I would take an organized tour to Mtskheta and not try to do it on my own. A tour will cost no more than 45 GEL. There are several tourist offices around Tbilisi that will get you on a half a day tour. Half a day is plenty to see all 3 site.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is beautiful inside, there is a wooden carved chair in the middle.

Monastery of Jvari

Monastery of Jvari was my next stop, its on a hill, with views of the town and where 2 rivers meet. Inside in the middle is a huge cross.





Picture taken from the Javeri Hill, where one can see River Kora and River Araguae meet.

The cab driver dropped me off  minibus stop in Mtskheta. Behind the bus-stop is Samtavro Monastery. There was construction going on, there was a Nun that looked at me and gestured photography was not allowed.

Back in Tbilisi I went for a walk along the peace bridge, and the casino across from it.

My things to do in Tbilisi post http://www.arvinder.com/2017/11/things-to-do-in-tbilisi-georgia.html

-