Mtsvane Monastery

Mtsvane Monastery tickets: which one to buy

Mtsvane Monastery, also called the Green Monastery or Chitakhevi, stands in a forest near the village of Chitakhevi in the Borjomi district of central Georgia, about ten kilometres from the resort town of Borjomi, and entry is free. It is a small, peaceful monastery surrounded by the green forests of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

Most visitors come from Borjomi, famous for its mineral water and its park, often combining the monastery with a walk in the Borjomi Central Park, a ride on the cable car, the Romanov Palace in Likani and hikes in the national park. Day trips from Tbilisi to Borjomi sometimes include the monastery. A taxi from Borjomi and a short walk through the forest lead to the monastery. It is active, with monks, and visitors should dress modestly, with women covering their heads. Taxis from Borjomi's centre can wait while you visit the monastery.

Visiting Mtsvane Monastery: what to see

The monastery was founded in the ninth or tenth century, and its main church, dedicated to Saint George, was built in the tenth century. It is known as the Green Monastery because of the greenish colour of the stone used to build it and because of its forest setting. According to tradition, a group of monks was killed here by invaders in the thirteenth century, and their blood stained the stream that runs beside the monastery, which is why the stream is called Tsisperi, or the stream of blood, and the pebbles are said to be reddish. The church is small, with a simple cross-dome plan and carved stone decoration, and it holds icons and frescoes. A bell tower from the sixteenth century stands beside it.

The monastery was abandoned and restored in the twentieth century, and monks returned after Georgia's independence. The church's carved stone decoration includes crosses and geometric patterns around the windows. The interior is dim, with small windows and candles. The frescoes, partly restored, show saints and scenes from the Bible. The bell tower has a simple design, with arches. The monastery's small courtyard is surrounded by trees. The monks live in simple buildings beside the church. The stream beside the monastery flows through the forest. A path leads from the monastery into the national park. The ancient stones of the church have a greenish tint that gives the monastery its name. Visitors can light candles and pray. The forest's silence adds to the monastery's peaceful atmosphere.

Mtsvane Monastery opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open daily. Borjomi's climate is mild, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters; summer is the main season for visitors to the resort, and autumn is beautiful, with colourful forests. The path through the forest can be muddy after rain. Weekends bring Georgian visitors. Allow about half an hour at the monastery, and combine the visit with Borjomi's mineral water springs and park, or the Romanov Palace at Likani. The Borjomi Mineral Water Park, with its springs, pools and cable car, is a short taxi ride away.