Jvari Monastery

Jvari Monastery stands on a rocky hilltop overlooking the ancient city of Mtskheta. At the foot of the mountain lies the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers. From the platform in front of the church, you can look down at the two rivers flowing together. When the water levels are right, their distinct colors are visible, and you can take in the rooftops of the ancient city and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on the opposite bank. Inside the church, beneath the dome, the stone pedestal that once held Saint Nino's Cross remains, now topped with a wooden cross. The lintel on the south facade features a relief of two angels holding up a cross, while the east wall displays statues of the nobles who funded the church's construction and ancient Georgian inscriptions, all of which are worth a closer look. It remains a pilgrimage site for the Georgian Orthodox Church to this day, and the views of the river confluence and the panoramic cityscape are best captured in the soft light of early morning or evening.