Mtskheta, gori, uphlistsikhe 1 day

Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities of the country of Georgia. Mtskheta was a capital of the Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD. Here Georgians accepted Christianity in 317 and Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.

Our tour will start in the morning (09:00-10:00).

Sights to see:

Svetitskhoveli - the biggest Christian temple in Georgia - was erected in the 11th c in the same place where the first Christian church in Georgia stood in the 4 th c;

Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta is amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture;

Samtavro(11th - 13th c) a monastery complex nearby Svetitskhoveli. The burial and coronation place of the Georgian royal family.

In Mtskheta can also be found the Armaztsikhe fortress (3rd century BC), the Armaztsikhe acropolis (dating to the late 1st millennium BC), the fragmentary remains of a royal palace (1st-3rd century AD), a nearby tomb of the 1st century AD, a small church of the 4th century, the fortress of Bebris Tsikhe (14th century), the Institute of Archaeology, and the garden of Mikheil Mamulashvili.

Lunch in local restaurant

 On route to uplistsikhe we visit Gori the birthplace of Stalin, visit the stalin museum.

Uplistsikhe (literally, "the lord's fortress") is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10km east of the town of Gori. Uplistsikhe is identified as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Strategically located in the heartland of ancient kingdom of Kartli (or Iberia as it was known to the Classical authors, is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD ), it emerged as a major political and religious center of the country.

Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 5th century BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture.

Here you find huge echoing halls, long meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia's oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit.
- Ateni Sioni (7-9th cc church) is one of the well decorated churches in Georgia.

Prices include:
- Inland transportation by car (1-2 pass.) or minibus (3-9;10-15 pass.)
- Picnic lunch
- Excursion fees
- Cultural tours Guide (English, German, French, Russian speaking upon request)