Zedazeni Monastery

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.