Mtskheta

Mtskheta მცხეთა
Town
UTC+4 (Georgian time)
Postal code	3300
Climate	Cfa
Website	www.mtskheta-mtianeti.gov.ge

Mtskheta (

Due to the historical significance of the town and its several outstanding churches and cultural monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.^[2] As the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centers of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared as the "Holy City" by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014.^[3]

In 2016, the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta were placed by UNESCO under Enhanced Protection, a mechanism established by the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.^[4]

Geography

Mtskheta is set on a lowland, surrounded by mountains, at the confluence of the two rivers,

Foundation

Archeological evidences trace human settlement in the area of Mtskheta from 2nd millennium BC to early 1st millennium AD.^[5] Numerous burials of the Bronze Age (beginning of the 1st millennium BC) prove that Mtskheta already was a significant settlement at that period.

According to

The city was strongly fortified at that period. Walls lined both sides of the Mtkvari River, and three forts protected it. The main citadel, Armazi, on Mount Bagineti controlled the entrance from the south and east, Tsitsamuri, at the base of Mount Jvari from the north, and Sarkine from the west.

Mtskheta was a site of early Christian activity resulting in the Christianisation of Iberia, where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion in 337. It remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Around that period Mtskheta was a culturally developed city. A gravestone dated between the late 4th and early 5th centuries, found in Samtavro necropolis, contains an epitaph in Greek, telling about the main architect and archizograph (artist) of Mtskheta Aurelius Acholis.

In the first years after the conversion of Georgia into Christianity, a small wooden church was built in the center of the city, later to become Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Archeological excavations revealed the remnants of the wooden church within the cathedral. By the 5th century AD the small church was no longer satisfying the growing community of the city, and

King Dachi of Iberia (early 6th century AD), who was the successor of Vakhtang I of Iberia, moved the capital from Mtskheta to the more easily defensible Tbilisi according to the will left by his father. Afterwards the importance of Mtskheta began to decline, while that of Tbilisi grew. However, Mtskheta continued as the coronation and burial place for most kings of Georgia until the end of the kingdom in the 19th century.^{[citation needed]} Mtskheta suffered tremendous damage during the Umayyad Caliphate's defeat of the Khazars between 736 and 739, and again when Timur conquered the area in the 15th century.^[7] These attacks reduced the size of the city, and by the time Georgia became part of Russia in 1801, it was little more than a village.^[7] However, industrialization improved the economic situation of the city.

Modern times

The old city lies at the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi.

In recognition of its role in the Georgian Christian history, Mtskheta was granted the status of a "Holy City" by Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia in accordance with the written testament of his 11th-century predecessor Melchizedek I of Georgia.^[3]

Panoramic view of Mtskheta city seen from Jvari monastery in september 2023

Monuments

In the outskirts of Mtskheta are the ruins of Armaztsikhe fortress (3rd century BC), the Armaztsikhe acropolis (dating to the late 1st century BC), remains of a "Pompey's bridge" (according to legends built by Roman legionnaires of Pompey the Great in the 1st century BC), the fragmentary remains of a royal palace (1st–3rd century AD), a nearby tomb of the 1st century AD, and the fortress of Bebris tsikhe (14th century). The Institute of Archaeology, and the garden of Mikheil Mamulashvili are also worthy of note.^{[citation needed]} There is also a monument to sculptor Elena Machabeli.

A mausoleum of rich woman from 1st century AD was recovered near Mtskheta train station. The structure imitates a house with well-processed quadrats and a fronton. The roof was covered with tile. Among the findings inside the mausoleum was a small bronze statue of young man playing flute.^[5]

Threats

The Historical Monuments of Mtskheta were on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger, citing "serious deterioration of the stonework and frescoes" as the main threat to the site's long-term preservation.^[9] They were removed from the list in 2016.^[10]

International relations

Mtskheta is

• Vagharshapat, Armenia (2016)^[11]
• Leuville-sur-Orge, France (2001)
• Argos, Greece (1991)^[12]

Notable people

Notable people from Mtskheta:

• Tochinoshin Tsuyoshi, (Levan Gorgadze born 1987), sumo wrestler

See also

• Armazi

References

• Abashidze, Irakli. Ed. Georgian Encyclopedia. Vol. IX. Tbilisi, Georgia: 1985.
• Amiranashvili, Shalva. History of Georgian Art. Khelovneba: Tbilisi, Georgia: 1961.
• Grigol Khantsteli. Chronicles of Georgia.
• Rosen, Roger. Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus. Odyssey Publications: Hong Kong, 1999.
  ISBN 962-217-748-4

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mtskheta.

• Pictures of Mtskheta
• UNESCO World Heritage listing
• Mtskheta travel guide from Wikivoyage