Mtskheta, the Holy City - Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery

Mtskheta is one of the most sacred and magnificent churches in Georgia, and the second largest church in Georgia after the Tbilisi Trinity Cathedral. The church was built between 1010 and 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsukidze on the same site as the third church, which dates back to the early 4th century. The architectural style of the Cathedral of the Life Pillar follows the architectural style of the 11th century domed church and the cross plan, with a majestic building and fine decoration. Its name comes from a legend that says that Jesus' cloak is kept in the church. The Jvari Monastery was built in the 6th century AD, later than the Cathedral of the Life Pillar, but it looks much older than the Cathedral of the Life Pillar, because the Jvari Monastery has not been extensively renovated since its construction, the walls are already in ruins, and the sculptures on the walls are incomplete. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the Mtskheta surrounded by mountains, the blue Aragvi River melted from the northern Caucasus snow mountains, and the yellow Mtkvari River from southwestern Turkey, which merge into the Kura River at the foot of the mountain, flowing all the way south to the capital Tbilisi. In 1994, Mtskheta was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its religious status and numerous monuments.