Zedazeni Monastery

Description

Zedazeni Monastery is one of Georgia’s oldest monastic complexes, located on the forest-covered Saguramo Ridge near Mtskheta. Its history is closely connected with Saint John of Zedazeni, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who established a Christian monastery here in the 6th century. The main monument of the complex is the three-nave Basilica of St. John the Baptist, dating from the 8th century. The site also preserves a bell tower, defensive walls and traces of monastic buildings. Located high above the surrounding landscape, the monastery offers beautiful views of the Saguramo Ridge, the Aragvi valley and the forests around Mtskheta.

Photo: Zedazeni Monastery

Site

Travel map of Georgia (1)

Additional information

Opening hours: 11:00 - 18:00

How to get there: From Tbilisi, travel towards Saguramo and then follow the mountain road towards the monastery. The final section can be difficult after rain or in winter, so a crossover or 4x4 vehicle is recommended. The monastery can also be reached on foot through the forest. Best time to visit: Spring, summer and autumn are particularly pleasant. Morning is a good time for photography and panoramic views, while autumn offers beautiful forest scenery. What to see: Visit the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the burial place of John of Zedazeni, the remains of the defensive walls and monastic structures, and enjoy the panoramic views from the ridge. Travel tip: Zedazeni is an active religious site, so visitors should dress modestly and behave respectfully. Bring drinking water and comfortable shoes, as tourist facilities in the immediate area are limited.

Speak languages

ქართული

English

Русский

Address

Zedazeni Monastery, Mtskheta-Mtianeti Get Directions

Coordinates

41.8711196152139, 44.76567417383193

Google Street View(The visualization may not be relevant at the time of viewing. Check the relevance of the data on the Google Maps website)

Tags