Samtavro Monastery
Working convent in Mtskheta with an 11th-century church, the tombs of King Mirian III and Queen Nana, and the grave of St Gabriel.
Samtavro MonasteryPhoto: Levan Gokadze, CC BY-SA 2.0Samtavro is an active convent at the northern end of Mtskheta, a short walk from Svetitskhoveli. Its main church, the Church of the Transfiguration, dates from the first half of the 11th century. Beside it stands the tiny Church of St Nino, on the spot where tradition says Nino lived in a shelter under a blackberry bush while she preached in the 4th century. King Mirian III and Queen Nana, the first Christian rulers of Iberia, are buried at Samtavro.
For many Georgians the main reason to visit is the grave of St Gabriel (Urgebadze), a monk who died in 1995 and was canonised in 2012. Pilgrims queue at his tomb in the courtyard, and the mood is devotional rather than touristic. The nuns sell icons and candles, and the grounds are calm compared with the cathedral square. Samtavro is part of the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
Tradition dates the first church here to King Mirian III in the 4th century, after his conversion by St Nino. The present Transfiguration church is dated by its style to the first half of the 11th century, soon after Svetitskhoveli. An earthquake brought down its dome in 1283, and it was restored in the late 13th and 14th centuries. A convent and girls' religious school were founded here in the 19th century, and nuns kept the community going through the Soviet period.
What to see and do
- Church of the Transfiguration, 11th century
- Tiny Church of St Nino beside the main church
- Tombs of King Mirian III and Queen Nana
- Grave of St Gabriel, a major pilgrimage site
- Quiet convent garden
How to visit
Getting there
Samtavro is on the main street at the north end of Mtskheta, about 10 minutes on foot from Svetitskhoveli. Marshrutkas from Tbilisi's Didube station stop nearby.
When to go
Morning, outside service times. Plan 30–45 minutes here.
- This is a working convent: dress modestly, cover your hair if you are a woman, and keep your voice low.
- Ask before photographing nuns or pilgrims at St Gabriel's grave.
- Walk here from Svetitskhoveli; the two are only a few minutes apart.
Samtavro Monastery: FAQ
Who is buried at Samtavro Monastery?
King Mirian III and Queen Nana, who adopted Christianity in the 4th century, are buried here. The courtyard holds the grave of St Gabriel (Urgebadze), a 20th-century monk venerated across Georgia.
Is Samtavro the same as Svetitskhoveli?
No. Svetitskhoveli is the cathedral in the centre of Mtskheta; Samtavro is a separate convent a short walk north. Both belong to the same UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tours that include Samtavro Monastery
Read more in our guides
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0A day-by-day loop from Tbilisi through Uplistsikhe, Kazbegi and Kakheti, showing how long each drive takes, where to eat and sleep, and realistic 2026 costs.
Photo: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0Twelve trips out of the capital, from Mtskheta and Kazbegi to Sighnaghi, Uplistsikhe and David Gareja, with distances, transport options and which places deserve a night.
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0Three ready-made days in the Georgian capital, each split into morning, afternoon and evening, with minutes on foot between stops, food stops by area and a plan B for rain.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Samtavro Monastery.
