Mtskheta – Chateau Mukhrani

Mtskheta is the first settlement of the Kartli tribes and the place where the history of Georgia began. The place where love for own land and homeland was born. Mtskheta became the first city to unite Eastern and Western Georgia under the first state flag back in the 3rd century BC. This is the place that became key for the adoption of the state religion of Christianity and where all the most sacred relics were accumulated.

In the 4th century AD, Saint Nino, Equal to the Apostles, came here and brought a cross made of grapevine tied with her braid. Nino, originally from Cappadocia, grew up in Jerusalem at the temple and was sent by the Virgin Mary to Georgia to bring Christianity to the land where the Tunic of Christ had been resting for 4 centuries.

The first place to visit is one of the most famous confluences of the Aragvi and Kura (Mtkvari). We will tell you how people lived here before Christianity and what caused the mass adoption of the new religion on this land. The Jvari Temple, also known as the Cross Monastery, was founded here in the 6th century AD as the first domed temple in the history of Georgian architecture. The first Autocephaly was adopted here at the end of the 5th century. The cross above the cross is the main shrine of this place. The temple has been protected by UNESCO since 1994. One of the most beautiful viewpoints near Tbilisi on the Armazi Gorge or the Kura River.

After the dedication to the History of this holy place, we will go to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where the relics of Saint Sidonia rest, who has been holding the Tunic of Christ in her hands since the 1st century AD. The Tunic was brought by Ravi Elios (Sidonia’s brother) after the crucifixion of Christ. This fact became the basis of this holy place and a mark for the adoption of Christianity. In addition, Georgia is the first Lot of the Virgin Mary. Therefore, in the 1st century AD, the Virgin Mary sends Andrew the First-Called instead of herself, who was unable to leave a strong foundation for the spread of Christianity here. The second attempt of the Virgin Mary with the message of St. Nino was successful and since then Christianity has been an integral part of the life of Georgians.

We will tell you how it all happened on the spot. We will show you the tomb of the Bagration dynasty, who are considered the keepers of the Tunic of Christ.

A walk around the city of Mtskheta is a pleasant time, where you will immerse yourself in the aura of an ancient trading city. Here and now you can buy various souvenirs, churchkhela, wine, spices and various things to remember Georgia by.

Another place that cannot be ignored is the Samtavro temple. The place of settlement since the 4th millennium BC. Here was the residence of the Georgian kings, from which the name of the place comes. In the 4th century, when St. Nino came to the city of Mtskheta, she settled in this place. A blackberry bush has been preserved here, which became a refuge for the young missionary. In the 11th century, a large temple was already built here, which has since been a convent named after St. Nino. In 2014, the venerable saint Gabriel Urgebadze was reburied in the temple, whose relics stream myrrh and bestow a blessing on all parishioners.

Having visited such holy places, we propose to move to the place where the wine industry was born in the 19th century by the descendant of the Bagration dynasty Ivane Batonishvili-Bagration Mukhrani. This is Chateau Mukhrani – the first Chateau in Georgia, which began to bottle wine and send it for export, including to the Emperor’s table.

The Chateau has several tasting packages that you can choose when booking your tour.

Here you can have lunch, have a master class in making churchkhela, bread, chacha, wine tasting and spend a wonderful time in the estate in nature surrounded by forests and vineyards.

The price of the excursion includes:

Guide-tour guide

• Transportation along the route
• Booking a visit to the Chateau

The price does not include:

• Your chosen tasting package at the Chateau
• Master classes at the Chateau
• The cost of tastings at the Chateau from 50 GEL min. number of 4 people.

Tour price:

• Toyota Camry – up to 4 people – $170
• Toyota Highlander business class – up to 2 people – $190
• Mercedes V-class up to 6 people – $200
• Mercedes Sprinter up to 15 people – $300
• Maybach – up to 6 people – $350