Foto: The Cathedral of Mtskheta (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Georgia - We drive to the old capital, Mtskheta. Before visiting the cathedral in the town, we drive to the church on the hill opposite Mtskheta. This church sits on the other bank of the river. The Jvari Church contains a large wooden cross, symbolizing the wooden cross of twigs that Saint Nino placed in 337 in Mtskheta to convert the inhabitants. The church is crowded with tourists, as all tours likely start here as their first stop. Nino struggles to explain the frescoes and historical icons. From the hilltop, I can see the old capital Mtskheta clearly, with the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral standing prominently in the center. The church is built on the site where Nino placed her cross—a true pilgrimage site. Later, defensive walls were built around the cathedral to protect the sanctuary from attackers. From the parking lot, I must push through a street full of souvenir shops and food stalls—hundreds of meters long. A clever tactic, as all tourists must pass this way. Upon entering the walled fortress, Nino shows us a spot where we can photograph the cathedral and the hilltop church together. Then I follow her inside. Within lies the tomb of Sidonia, who is believed to be buried in the Holy Robe of Jesus. For this reason, Nino had a church built on this site in the fourth century. The current Georgian Orthodox cathedral dates from the 11th century. After the visit, we have some time to wander through the streets and stalls of Mtskheta.
Freedom Square in Tbilisi
Georgia - Today is Independence Day in Georgia. For the 25th time, it is celebrated that Georgia became independent from Russia. On the famous Rustaveli Avenue, many stalls and stages are set up. There is entertainment everywhere. We order a sandwich at one of ...
The Bodbe Monastery
Georgia - After about a two-hour drive, we reach Bodbe Monastery, one of Georgia’s most important religious sites. This active convent is particularly known as the burial place of Saint Nino, who played a crucial role in converting Georgia to Christianity in ...
The Cave City of Vardzia
Georgia - The cave city of Vardzia is a rock monastery on the slopes of the Erusheli River. It was founded by Queen Tamar in 1185 as protection against the Mongols and consisted of over six thousand apartments across thirteen levels. The only access to the complex ...
The Modern Resort Town of Batumi
Georgia - The weather clears, and the sun even breaks through. On the boulevard, most of the beach tents are being dismantled and cleared away—the season is over. Behind the boulevard stand tall apartment blocks and skyscrapers of unusual shapes, giving the skyline ...
The monastery of David Gareja
Georgia - We drive out of Sagarejo, heading for the David Gareja monastery. The monastery is carved into the rocks and lies exactly in the mountainous area on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. We had heard the road there would be bad. Expecting the worst, ...
The mountain road to Ushguli
Georgia - From Mestia we continue driving to Ushguli. Mestia is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Ushguli at 2,200 meters. This makes Ushguli the highest continuously inhabited mountain village in Europe. We do wonder if this is not higher in the Alps. The ...
The Stalin Museum in Gori
Georgia - We drive on to Gori, a city world-famous as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. He was born here in 1878 in a modest wooden house, still standing next to the museum later built in his honor. Visiting a museum dedicated to a man responsible for the oppression ...
Tsminda Sameba Church Kazbegi
Georgia - Just after two o’clock we approach Stepantsminda. Along the roadside are numerous trucks, kilometers long. The trucks have been waiting here for the border crossing with Russia. Further along the route, there is no place to park. The police let a few ...