Mtsekheta, 20 March 2009

Friday we used a couple of hours for a trip from Tbilisi to Mtskheta.

Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities of the country of Georgia is located 20 kilometers northeast of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi (one of our pilot catchments) and Mt'k'vari rivers.

Remains of towns at this location have been dated to earlier than the year 1000 BC, and Mtskheta was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC – 5th century AD. It was the site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Georgia in 317. Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.

Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.