Metekhi Church

The church sits at the cliff's edge, appearing as a natural extension of the rock – visible from many points across the city. The facades are built from carved stone in warm sandy tones. The eastern facade with three apses and the northern portal preserve 13th-century decorative carvings: diamond-shaped rosettes and raised architraves. A distinctive feature is the absence of arcature bands common in medieval Georgian churches, giving the facades a restrained, austere appearance.

Inside, the domed hall is modest in scale with no surviving frescoes. Among the icons, one titled '100,000 Martyrs' commemorates the events of 1226 when Tbilisi's residents refused to desecrate icons on the orders of Khwarezmian ruler Jalal ad-Din and were executed. The church holds the relics of Saint Shushanik (5th century), transferred here from Tsurtavi.

A small platform in front of the church has benches with views across the Kura to the tiled rooftops of the Old Town, the Bridge of Peace, and Narikala on the opposite bank. The scene is particularly striking in the evening when the city lights turn on. At the base of the cliff, near the water, stands the small Church of Saint Abo of Tiflis – the patron saint of the capital.

Age – first church on this site dates to the 5th century; current building from 1278–1289

Location – rocky cliff on the left bank of the Kura, visible from most central vantage points

Architecture – cross-in-square plan, 20 × 16 m, no arcature bands (rare for the 13th century)

Relics – remains of Saint Shushanik (5th century), icon of the '100,000 Martyrs'

Statue – equestrian monument to King Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of Tbilisi, adjacent to the church

The first church on Metekhi cliff was built by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the 5th century, alongside a palace and fortress that served as the royal residence. The temple symbolized the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. During the 8th–11th centuries, Metekhi became the residence of Tbilisi's amirs. In 1226, the Mongols destroyed the church, and Khwarezmian ruler Jalal ad-Din ordered icons from Sioni Cathedral thrown onto Metekhi Bridge, commanding citizens to trample them – tradition holds that 100,000 people refused and were executed.

King Demetrius II rebuilt the church in its current form between 1278 and 1289. In the 17th century, it was used as a gunpowder store; under Erekle II, it became the court church. After Georgia's annexation by Russia, the fortress was converted into a prison – inmates scratched their names onto the facade. During Soviet rule, the church was closed: in 1979, a youth drama theater operated inside, later replaced by an artists' workshop. After the Soviet collapse, the church was returned to worshippers and services resumed.

On foot from central Tbilisi:

– From Freedom Square – 15 minutes through the Old Town and across Metekhi Bridge

– From the Bridge of Peace and Rike Park – 5–7 minutes south along the riverbank

By metro:

– Avlabari station – 7–10 minutes downhill via Metekhi descent

By taxi:

– Bolt from the center – 3–5 GEL (~$1–2)

On site:

No parking at the church. Nearest parking is at Europe Square (5 minutes on foot).

Time of day: Early morning or evening – soft light for photos and fewer visitors. At sunset, the cliff and church are lit by the last rays.

Season: Year-round. Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather for exploring the area. Summer midday is hot on the open platform.

Duration: 20–30 minutes for the church and viewpoint. Combined with the Bridge of Peace and Abanotubani – 1.5–2 hours.

Avoid: Service times if you want to explore the interior freely (liturgy: Saturday 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM).