Mtsvane Monastery - the Green Monastery

A miracle hidden in the woods

When traveling through Samtskhe-Javakheti, the Green Monastery, located in the southeast section of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park near the village of Chitakhevi, is a must-see.

The monastery, some 12km outside of the city of Borjomi, is popularly known as “Mtsvane” or “Green” Monastery. It is a medieval church complex consisting of a basilica from the 8th century and a two-story bell tower from the 16th century, including leftovers of old monastic structures nearby.

The Green Monastery derives its name from the surrounding woods that have a special green color in late spring and summer, when even the plain stones of the church walls seem to adopt a greenish sheen.  

Historical records of the Green Monastery’s construction are scarce. However, according to scientists, it was built by Grigol Khandzteli, a prominent Georgian ecclesiastic figure of the late 8th and early 9th centuries. Khandzteli founded numerous monastic communities in Tao-Klarjeti, a historical region in Southwest Georgia.  

The structural elements of the monastery, such as the columns, pilasters and arches, are mostly built in plain stone with almost no decoration. Just some traces of frescoes, probably executed around the 12th century, survive in the apse and on the west wall.    

After the depopulation of the Borjomi valley because of massive warfare mostly in the 18th century, the monastery was abandoned and left to decay. It was partially reclaimed from nature in 1978, restored in 1988, and repopulated by Georgian monks in 2003.

Thanks to the monks’ multiple efforts the basilica as well as the bell tower are in excellent shape today and are a visitors’ hotspot of the region. They were inscribed on the list of the Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia.

How to get there:
The Green Monastery is located In the south-east section of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park near the village of Chitakhevi, some 12km southwest of the city of Borjomi. You can take a minibus (1 GEL) or taxi (3 GEL) from Borjomi. Driving time from Borjomi is 10-15 minutes.

Distances from major cities:
Borjomi - Green Monastery: 12km | Akhaltsikhe - Green Monastery: 40km

Opening hours:
Can be visited at any time, workdays and weekends

Admission fee:
There is no admission fee

Important things to know:
There are toilets and a small shop with local goods nearby.

Picture credits: beyondarts GmbH

Project “Increased regional added value in the tourism sectors of Georgia by Digital Heritage Tourism Guides” was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation