The Ancient City of Mtskheta

The Ancient City of Mtskheta

Mtskheta was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kartli, situated on the right bank of the Kura River, just a 20-minute drive from Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia. The Ancient City of Mtskheta was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 under cultural heritage criteria C (iii) and (iv).

Historically, this ancient city was the site of the Mtskheta Christian Church, serving as the prototype of Georgia’s capital city. It stands as an outstanding example of religious architecture in the medieval Caucasus region and provides compelling evidence of the cultural and artistic achievements attained by this ancient kingdom. The Ancient City of Mtskheta was established during the Bronze Age of the Georgian dynasty, located at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and at the confluence of two rivers. As a religious center, the city adopted architectural styles from the 11th century, including church domes and cruciform floor plans. The Ancient City of Mtskheta is a classic example of medieval ecclesiastical architecture and serves as a testament to the refined art and culture of the Georgian dynasty, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of its cultural and artistic heritage.