Mtskheta (UNESCO sites), Gori and Uplistsikhe Cave Town Day Tour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Jvari Church, Mtskheta Georgia

Jvari is a masterpiece of the early Medieval Period. It stands on a mountain opposite the ancient city of Mtskheta. St. Nino erected the first wooden cross at the site. Its pedestal can still be seen in the centre of the church. This example of classic tetra conch design with all its miniature size, strikes the viewers with its grandeur and integrity. The interior, once decorated with mosaics is rather bare today, but a spectacular view opens from the church, which is seen from far away, equally well from all directions.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Arsukidze, Mtskheta 383400 Georgia

Svetitskhoveli - which may be translated as "The Life-giving pillar", is the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. An enormous cedar tree grew on a place where Christ's robe was buried. The place was chosen as a site for the future church. The branches of This magic tree served for constructed pillars. This bright example of Georgian renaissance architecture was erected by architect Arsukidze in 11th c, in the place where the first church in Georgia once stood in the 4th c.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Stalin Museum, 32 Stalin Avenue, Gori Georgia

We will set off for the West of the country to the city of Gori – “the apple capital city” of Georgia. The city is famous for its fertility and moreover is famous as the motherland of Joseph Stalin (Jugashvili). Here we offer you an excursion in the house-museum of famous generalissimo.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Uplistsiche Cave Town, Kvakhvreli 15 km Eastwards to Town Gori, Gori Georgia

Uplistsikhe - meaning "The Fortress of God" is an ancient cave town from the 1st half of the 1st millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routs. It was the main centre of paganism, and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacy, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares. The city was surrounded by the protective moat surrounding it from the east and the north. Uplistsikhe had four gates from all parts of the world. The cave city still has the two-column reception hall of Queen Tamara with arch niches and huge pylons. It is magnificent in its sizes, perfect workmanship and graceful architectural forms. Some premises, wine storages, fragments of temples and fortifications, the secret underground tunnel used for water supply are still intact.

In the 19 th century Uplistsike was lost under the layers of dirt and sand. Huge efforts of many experts in its excavation, cleaning, strengthening, restoration and studying of this outstanding historical monument in the history of Georgian culture revived Uplistsikhe which is listed among the historical monuments protected by UNESCO.

Duration: 2 hours