CENTRE – Tbilisi
AREA – 6200 SQ.KM.
POPULATION – 464000

Kartli is a historical region located in the eastern part of Georgia. Kartli is the geographic center of Georgia. Here is the capital of Georgia Tbilisi, as well as the city of Mtskheta, which from ancient times until the V century was the capital of Iberia (Eastern Georgia). Kartli is divided into Shida (internal) and Kvemo (lower) Kartli. Shida Kartli - a region with a rich historical past represented the cradle of Georgian civilization and statehood. Kvemo Kartli is especially interesting from the archaeological point of view. In Dmanisi, on the territory adjacent to the Algeti Reserve, in Manglisi many interesting objects and people's tombs have been discovered, which belong to the Eneolithic period, Early Bronze Period, Middle Bronze Period, and the Late Bronze period. The natural beauty and architecture of historical monuments harmoniously intertwine with each other.

MTSKHETA – CITY-MUSEUM
15 km from tbilisi
Mtskheta was an ancient capital of Kartlian (Iberian) Kingdom and political centre of Georgia (IV century BCE – VI century CE). Mtskheta was a cradle of expansion of Christianity in Georgia and centre of Christian religion. Mtskheta is rich both in archeological (periods of Bronze and Stone ages) and in historical monuments of antique period and Christian era.
Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, at present is an administrative centre of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. Small settlement rich in historical monuments is entered in a list of UNESCO as the city-museum.

SVETITSKHOVELI CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
25 km from Tbilisi
11 th C
Svetitskhoveli, located in the heart of Kartli, in downtown Mtskheta, was built in XI century, is a cathedral and a residence of the Patriarchate. Today's cathedral was built on order of Catholicos-Patriarch of Mtskheta, Melkisedek, in 1010-1029 by architect Arsukisdze.

JVARI CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
30 Km from Tbilisi
6 th - 7 th CC
In front of Mtskheta, on the mountain, stands Jvari monastery, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name of the cathedral is related to high wooden cross which was erected on this place by the king Mirian. In the second half of VI century the sovereign of Kartli Guram built a small church beside the cross. On the brink of VI-VII cc. the son of Guram – sovereign Stepanoz I (586-605) built a big cathedral beside the small one which capped the wooden cross.

SHIOMGVIME MONASTERY COMPLEX
40 Km from Tbilisi
6th C
Shiomgvime monastic complex was one of the outstanding religious and cultural centers in the feudal time Georgia.
It was founded in the second half of VI century by one of the Assyrian preachers named Shio. As the sources tell us, Shio spent the last years of his life in dark and deep cave and after demise, according to his will, he was buried there. That is where the name comes from – Shios mgvime (Cave of Shio). His grave in Shiomgvime is a sacred place.

SAMTAVRO CROSS-DOMED CHURCH
27 Km from Tbilisi
11 th - 13 th CC
Samtavro isa complex of XI century located in the downtown Mtskheta. It consists of a big Episcopasy cathedral, St. Nino church, belfry, fence, tower and living and service quarters built later. Here lived Nino who arrived to Georgia to preach Christianity. Today it is a convent.

ROCK-CUT TOWN
80 Km from Tbilisi
1 st half of 1st mill. BC
Uplistsikhe - meaning "The Fortress of God" is an ancient cave town from the 1st half of the 1st millennium BC. situated on the crossroads of important trade routs. It was the main centre of paganism, and represents a complex of halls, caves, theatres, altars, pagan temples, secret tunnels, prisons, pharmacy, passages-streets all carved out of stone over an area of 4 hectares.
At its peak of prosperity, the city had a population of 20 000. In 9th -10th cc AD a three-nave basilica

Zedazeni monastery is one of the oldest pieces of Georgian architecture, situated on the left bank of the Aragvi. It was founded by the Assyrian Father John around 540 AD> Monastery has been repaired and restored many times, right up until 1970-1971.

CROSS-CUPOLA CHURCH
70 km from Tbilisi
7th C
Manglisi Sioni is an important Georgian architectural monument and one of the oldest Christian centers in Georgia. The first church in Manglisi was built in IV century. The dates of basic layers of today's cathedral go down to VII century. In 1852 the Russian administration whitewashed interior of the cathedral that totally destroyed fresco painting.

BOLNISI SIONI BASILICA
60 Km from Tbilisi
6 th - 7 th CC
Bolnisi sioni is a three-nave basilica built in 5th c. The capitals and columns are decorated with geometric carvings, patterns depicting vegetables and pictures of birds and animals. The capital of the baptistery is decorated with a cross, peacocks and a bull head with another cross between its horns. Bolnisi Sioni has Georgia's most ancient inscriptions dating from the late 5th century, mentioning Bishop David and King Peroz.

BETANIA CUPOLA CHURCH
60 Km from Tbilisi
12 th - 13 th CC
Betania The cupola church of 12th-13th was built of hewn stones and later repaired with bricks. The church is beautifully located in a lush forest in the surroundings of Tbilisi. Fragments of beautiful murals are preserved inside the church. The portraits of King George III, Queen Tamar and her son Lasha-Giorgi. are kept here

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