Trip to Mtskheta — Day of Wishes & Miracles
Just a short drive from Tbilisi lies a place where Georgia’s history, faith and ancient legends come together.
Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, is much more than a collection of beautiful churches. Every monastery has a story. Every sacred place carries a memory. And some of the most fascinating stories have been passed from generation to generation for centuries.
This journey with Hotel Nutsa is designed a little differently.
There is no tour guide travelling with you. Instead, this page is your guide.
Read the story of each place before you arrive. Learn what happened there, discover the legends connected with it and know what to look for when you step inside.
Your experienced private driver will take you comfortably from Hotel Nutsa to each destination, while you explore every stop independently and at your own pace.
Take the stories with you — and Mtskheta will look completely different.
Your Mtskheta Day Trip Route
Hotel Nutsa → Jvari Monastery → Walking Trail to St. Nino’s Spring ( “Dzudzu’s Spring”) → Svetitskhoveli Cathedral → Samtavro Monastery → Shio-Mgvime Monastery → Optional Dinner → Hotel Nutsa
This Mtskheta day trip combines ancient history, sacred places and some of the region’s most fascinating local traditions.
1. Jvari Monastery — Where Christianity Took Root
Before you reach Jvari, there is one story worth knowing.
According to Georgian Christian tradition, in the 4th century Saint Nino, who played a central role in the Christianization of the Kingdom of Iberia, came to this hill overlooking Mtskheta.
Tradition says that a wooden cross was erected here on the site of an earlier pagan sanctuary.
The cross became an important place of pilgrimage, and centuries later a church was built around this sacred location.
The great stone church you see today dates from around the late 6th to early 7th century.
Its name tells the story:
“Jvari” means - “Cross” in Georgian.
But before entering the monastery, turn around.
Below you lies Mtskheta, framed by mountains, with the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers meeting beneath the hill.
This famous landscape has been admired for centuries.
Take your time here. Walk around the monastery, enjoy the panorama and imagine why this mountain overlooking Georgia’s ancient capital became such an important spiritual place.
And then comes a part of our journey that many visitors to Jvari never discover.
Our Mtskheta day trip is designed for guests who prefer to explore independently while knowing the story behind each place.
2. The Hidden Trail — St. Nino’s Spring “Dzudzu’s Spring”
After exploring Jvari Monastery, enjoying its breathtaking views and capturing unforgettable photos of Mtskheta and the surrounding landscape, it is time to continue your journey.
Instead of returning directly by car, follow the walking trail down the mountain toward the road below.
As you descend through the peaceful landscape, you will reach a small sacred place known as St. Nino’s Spring — locally also called “Dzudzu’s Spring.”
Hidden beneath Jvari, this spring is associated with an old local tradition of faith, hope and wishes for a child.
Make a wish… and good luck! ✨
3. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — The Legend of the Life-Giving Pillar
Before entering Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, stop for a moment.
Because once you know its story, you will look at this cathedral differently.
According to one of Georgia’s most important Christian traditions, the story begins almost two thousand years ago — far away from Mtskheta, in Jerusalem.
Tradition tells of a man from Mtskheta named Elioz, who was in Jerusalem at the time of the Crucifixion of Christ.
He is said to have returned to Mtskheta carrying Christ’s robe.
His sister Sidonia took the sacred garment into her arms and, overcome with emotion, died while holding it.
According to the tradition, the robe could not be removed from her hands.
Sidonia was therefore buried together with it.
Later, a great cedar tree is said to have grown above her grave.
Years passed.
When Georgia embraced Christianity and the first church was to be constructed on this sacred ground, the cedar was cut down.
But according to the legend, one of its pillars could not be put into place.
Saint Nino prayed.
The pillar miraculously rose and returned to its place.
This story gave the cathedral its name: Svetitskhoveli — “The Life-Giving Pillar.”
The magnificent cathedral standing here today was constructed mainly in the 11th century, but the sacred history of the site reaches much further back.
Svetitskhoveli also became one of Georgia’s most important religious centres and a burial place associated with Georgian royalty.
When You Enter…
Do not simply look up at the beautiful stone walls and frescoes.
Remember Sidonia.
Remember the story of the robe.
Remember the cedar and the Life-Giving Pillar.
You are standing in a place that has occupied a central position in Georgian Christian tradition for centuries.
4. Samtavro Monastery — Saint Nino and Georgia’s First Christian Royal Family
Our next stop takes us to another place closely connected with the beginnings of Christianity in Georgia.
Samtavro Monastery stands only a short distance from Svetitskhoveli, yet its atmosphere is noticeably quieter.
According to Georgian Christian tradition, Saint Nino lived and prayed in this area during her time in Mtskheta.
But Samtavro also preserves the memory of two of the most important figures in Georgia’s Christian history: King Mirian III and Queen Nana.
Tradition associates their reign with the adoption of Christianity by the Kingdom of Iberia in the 4th century.
Their tombs are located at Samtavro.
So when you enter the church, remember that you are not simply visiting another old monastery.
You are entering a place connected with the royal family whose story became inseparable from Georgia's conversion to Christianity.
Today Samtavro remains an active convent.
5. Shio-Mgvime — The Monk Who Chose Silence
We now leave central Mtskheta behind.
The road changes.
The landscape becomes more dramatic and increasingly isolated until, surrounded by pale limestone cliffs and mountains, Shio-Mgvime Monastery appears.
Its location alone makes it unforgettable.
But once again, knowing the story changes what you see.
The monastery traces its origins to the 6th century and is associated with Saint Shio, traditionally counted among the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia and contributed to the development of monastic life.
Shio sought solitude.
According to tradition, he eventually lived as a hermit in a deep cave here, dedicating his life to prayer.
The Georgian word “mgvime” means “cave.”
That is why the place became known as: Shio-Mgvime — “The Cave of Shio.”
Over time, other monks gathered around him and a monastic community developed in this secluded valley.
Churches and other structures appeared over the centuries, creating the remarkable complex you see today.
There is a silence here that helps explain why someone seeking a life of solitude and prayer would have chosen this valley centuries ago.
After a day filled with stories, legends, kings, saints, wishes and sacred places, Shio-Mgvime feels like the right place to finish the journey.
Optional Georgian Dinner on the Way Back
After Shio-Mgvime, we begin our journey back toward Tbilisi and Hotel Nutsa.
If you wish, your driver can make a stop at a traditional Georgian restaurant along the way.
After walking and exploring throughout the day, it is a lovely way to finish the experience — sit down, relax and enjoy Georgian cuisine before returning to the hotel.
Please note: Dinner, food and drinks are optional and are not included in the package price.
Stay in Tbilisi & Discover Ancient Mtskheta
You don't need to choose between staying in Old Tbilisi and discovering Georgia beyond the capital.
With Hotel Nutsa, you can do both.
Stay with us in Old Tbilisi and spend one of your days discovering Mtskheta with comfortable private transportation directly from the hotel.
Mtskheta Day Trip for 2 Guests — 470 GEL
Package Includes:
2 Nights at Hotel Nutsa in Old Tbilisi
Standard Double or Twin Room
Breakfast or Takeaway Breakfast
Private Transportation with an Experienced Driver
Jvari Monastery & Panoramic Views
Walking Trail to St. Nino’s Spring (Dzudzu’s Spring)
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral & Old Mtskheta Walk
Samtavro Monastery
Shio-Mgvime Monastery
Free Time for Photos & Exploring
Return Transfer to Hotel Nutsa
2 Guests — Full Package: 470 GEL
Optional Georgian Dinner on the Way Back — food and drinks are not included in the package price.
Mtskheta Day Trip for 4 Guests — 690 GEL
Package Includes:
2 Nights at Hotel Nutsa in Old Tbilisi
2 Standard Double or Twin Room
Breakfast or Takeaway Breakfast
Private Transportation with an Experienced Driver
Jvari Monastery & Panoramic Views
Walking Trail to St. Nino’s Spring (Dzudzu’s Spring)
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral & Old Mtskheta Walk
Samtavro Monastery
Shio-Mgvime Monastery
Free Time for Photos & Exploring
Return Transfer to Hotel Nutsa
4 Guests — Full Package: 690 GEL
Optional Georgian Dinner on the Way Back — food and drinks are not included in the package price.
Travel with Hotel Nutsa — because every beautiful place becomes unforgettable when you know its story.
Make your Mtskheta day trip part of a relaxing two-night stay at Hotel Nutsa in Old Tbilisi.
BOOK YOUR TRIP ON WHATSAPP
