Principal Monasteries of Georgia

• Gelati Monastery – Kutaisi, Imereti. Founded by King David IV in 1106; the greatest monastery of medieval Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• David Gareja Monastery – Kakheti. Vast cave-monastery complex founded by St David Garejeli in the sixth century.
• Alaverdi Monastery – Kakheti. One of the largest and most important cathedrals and monasteries of Georgia.
• Svetitskhoveli Monastery – Mtskheta. Spiritual centre of Georgia and one of the most sacred sites of the Georgian Church.
• Jvari Monastery – Mtskheta. Iconic sixth-century monastery overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers.
• Shio-Mgvime Monastery – Kartli. Ancient cave monastery founded by one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers.
• Martvili Monastery – Samegrelo. Major monastic and episcopal centre of western Georgia.

Mtskheta and Kartli

• Svetitskhoveli Monastery – Mtskheta. The principal ecclesiastical centre of Georgia.
• Jvari Monastery – Mtskheta. One of the finest examples of early Georgian architecture.
• Shio-Mgvime Monastery – near Mtskheta. Great cave monastery of central Georgia.
• Samtavro Monastery – Mtskheta. Important convent associated with St Nino and King Mirian.
• Zedazeni Monastery – near Mtskheta. Founded by St John of Zedazeni.
• Monastery of St David of Gareja at Tbilisi – Tbilisi. Historic hilltop monastery above the city.
• Betania Monastery – near Tbilisi. Medieval monastery famous for its frescoes.
• Ateni Monastery – Shida Kartli. Historic monastery of central Georgia.

Kakheti and Eastern Georgia

• David Gareja Monastery – Kakheti. Largest cave-monastery complex in Georgia.
• Lavra of David Gareja – part of the David Gareja complex. Principal monastery of the region.
• Udabno Monastery – Kakheti. Cave monastery within the Gareja complex.
• Bertubani Monastery – Kakheti. Historic monastery with important medieval frescoes.
• Alaverdi Monastery – Kakheti. Great cathedral monastery of eastern Georgia.
• Ikalto Monastery – Kakheti. Medieval monastery and academy.
• Nekresi Monastery – Kakheti. Ancient hilltop monastery.
• Bodbe Monastery – Kakheti. Women’s monastery and burial place of St Nino.
• Gremi Monastery – Kakheti. Former royal monastery of Kakheti.

Imereti and Western Georgia

• Gelati Monastery – Kutaisi. The foremost monastery of western Georgia.
• Motsameta Monastery – near Kutaisi. Picturesque monastery associated with the martyrs David and Constantine.
• Martvili Monastery – Samegrelo. Historic monastery and episcopal centre.
• Katskhi Pillar Monastery – Imereti. Extraordinary monastery atop a limestone pillar.
• Ubisi Monastery – Imereti. Medieval monastery with important frescoes.
• Khobi Monastery – western Georgia. Historic monastery of Samegrelo.
• Mokvi Monastery – Abkhazia. Ancient Georgian monastery of western Georgia.

Mountain Monasteries and the Caucasus

• Gergeti Trinity Monastery – Kazbegi. Famous mountain monastery beneath Mount Kazbek.
• Lomisa Monastery – Mtiuleti. Ancient mountain sanctuary and monastery.
• Sapara Monastery – Samtskhe-Javakheti. Important monastery in southern Georgia.
• Zarzma Monastery – Samtskhe-Javakheti. Major medieval monastery of southern Georgia.
• Vardzia Monastery – southern Georgia. Vast cave-monastery complex founded under Queen Tamar.
• Vanis Kvabebi Monastery – southern Georgia. Cave monastery associated with the Vardzia region.

Female Monasteries and Convents of Special Importance

• Bodbe Monastery – Kakheti. One of the principal women’s monasteries of Georgia and burial place of St Nino.
• Samtavro Monastery – Mtskheta. Historic convent and pilgrimage centre.
• Khobi Convent – western Georgia. Traditional women’s monastery.
• Tabori Convent – Tbilisi region. Modern convent of the Georgian Church.
• Manglisi Convent – Kartli. Important women’s monastic house.

Observations

• Georgia is especially notable for its cave monasteries, mountain monasteries, and close relationship between monasticism and the Georgian monarchy.
• Gelati, Jvari, and Svetitskhoveli are among the most important monuments of the Christian East.
• The David Gareja and Vardzia complexes form one of the most distinctive cave-monastic traditions in the Orthodox world.
• Georgian monasteries are particularly notable for their integration into mountainous landscapes and their role in preserving the Georgian language and culture.
• Among the best-known monasteries internationally are Gelati, David Gareja, Jvari, Svetitskhoveli, Bodbe, Gergeti, and Vardzia.