Mtatsminda, or Mount of St. Father David is located to the west from downtown Tbilisi, at the bifurcation of Trialeti mountain range, 700 meters above the sea level. The name of the mount and the Church is linked to the life and activity of St. Father David of Gareji – one of the thirteen Assyrian saints. In the middle of the VI century AD he set up here a small site of worship and a cell. In the IX century AD the Church of Virgin Mary of Iveria was built here. That is why the mount of St. Father David has been given a second name – Mtatsminda (means "holy mount").

Here is the pantheon of Georgian writers and public figures, where the most outstanding sons of Georgia have been laid to rest, including: Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, Vazha Pshavela, and others. Famous Russian poet, Alexander Griboedov, and Stalin's mother were also buries in the pantheon.