Pilgrimage tours to Georgia involve visiting religious buildings of various degrees of antiquity - travelers will see both austere majestic cathedrals of the 18-19 centuries, and early medieval rock temples. The nickname "open-air monastery" has stuck to this country.
Tbilisi
The pilgrimage tour in Tbilisi will include visits to the following sites:
- Tsminda Sameba Cathedral: this complex on the hill of St. Elijah has 13 altars, 9 chapels, a clerical seminary, a men's monastery, a free-standing belfry, and places for rest. Guests of the cathedral will be able to admire the walls decorated with frescoes and icons, as well as picturesque mosaics combined with marble on the floor. For pilgrims, an Orthodox relic in the form of a handwritten Bible is also of interest.
- Sioni Church: Despite the restoration, the church was able to maintain its medieval appearance. The frescoes of the Russian artist Gagarin and the ancient cross of St. Nina are to be examined there.
- Metekhi Temple: it was built on the site of the palace of Vakhtang Gorgasali, in connection with which an equestrian statue of this king was installed next to the entrance. Having visited the temple, pilgrims will see the tomb of the great martyr Shushanika Ranskaya (she spread Christianity and was killed by her pagan husband).
- Anchiskhati Church: It was built in 522 to perpetuate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. On the facade of the church, you will be able to see an old medallion with a cross, and inside - icons dating from the 19th century.
Kutaisi
For pilgrims arriving in Kutaisi, ancient temples are of interest, among which the Gelati Monastery stands out (here you should pay attention to the frescoes depicting the Mother of God and the Child surrounded by Archangels), the Bagrat Temple (famous for the 300-kilogram bronze cross, 2 m high, installed on the dome; going inside, pilgrims will be able to admire the preserved ancient paintings, frescoes and stained glass windows) and the Motsameta monastery (once on its territory, guests admire the round turrets, and collect water, considered medicinal, in a drinking fountain; and there are also the relics of the holy princes Constantine and David).
Mtskheta
Christian pilgrims often visit Mtskheta, so the Georgian authorities are investing in the restoration of monuments that have survived to this day. It is worth noting that it was here that Nina, the most revered saint in Georgia, came with the good news.
The main shrines of Mtskheta:
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: its facade is decorated with arches with reliefs (one of them depicts the Savior on a throne with angels), and the paintings inside date from the 15th and 17th centuries.
- Jvari Monastery: this monastery (the ancient Pedestal of the Cross is kept here) is visited by both believers and tourists - they all make a wish by tying ribbons on the Wish Tree.
- Samtavro Monastery: the monastery is the place where the icons of St. Nina and the Iberian Mother of God are kept, as well as the relics of St. Abibos of Nekres.
