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 king Mirian. In the second half of VI century the sovereign of Kartly Guaram built a small church beside the cross. This small house of worship is called today Small Jvari Church. On the brink of VI-VII cc. the son of Guaram – sovereign Stepanoz I (586-605) built a big cathedral beside the small one which capped the wooden cross (the abutment of the cross has been preserved until today). After Bolnisi Sioni Jvari cathedral represents a new stage in the development of architectural art. 3 bas-relief images of individuals who masterminded and paid for construction of the church are placed on the eastern façade: in the middle, sovereign Stepanoz genuflecting before Christ; on the left – his brother Demetre with protector angel, on the right – heir apparent of Stepanoz, Adarnase (above him is depicted an angel with widely spread wings and a right hand stretched forward); in front of Adarnase is a child on the knees – his son. All three bas-reliefs have Asomtavruli inscriptions containing names and titles of builders.
Jvari cathedral launched a new stage of the Georgian religious architecture – dome church. In VII century the whole group of similar churches were founded which were close to Mtskheta Jvari in layout and general structure. They are Ateni Sioni, Old Shuamta, Martvili.

Samtavro is a complex of XI century located in the downtown Mtskheta. It consists of a big Episcopacy cathedral, St. Nino church, belfry, fence, tower and living and service quarters built later. According to historical reports, in VI-VIII cc. this was a residence of the ruling prince of Kartli wherefrom comes its name – Samtavro (Principality). Here lived Nino who arrived to Georgia to preach Christianity. Today it is a convent.
Big cathedral is a cross-dome construction (27 x 23 m) with south, north and west annexes. As a result of an earthquake in 1283, a dome collapsed and was restored on the edge of XII-XIV cc. In the end of XVII c., in the second half of XIX centuries and in 1974 cathedral was fundamentally renovated. In the south-western corner of the cathedral there are gravesites of the first Christian king of Georgia, Mirian, and queen Nana. Monument of the gravesite has been renewed in XIX century. Painting of the cathedral belongs to XVII century.
Church of St. Nino is a small-scale dome construction (6,2 x 3,9 m). It stands to the east of the big cathedral. It was built by king Mirian on this blackberry bush area where Nino settled first. Interior of the church is painted with compositions on the life of St. Nino and other themes. Painting is primitive and late.
Three-story belfry (4,7 x 5,8 m) was built in XV-XVI cc. with square cut yellowish-grayish sandstone, in twenty meters to the north-west from the cathedral, on the elevated platform.
From old fence remained a damaged cylindrical tower standing in the south-western corner of the courtyard, on the height (today living quarters of the convent). It was built in XVIII c. Existing fence belongs to XIX century.
Shiomgvime monastic complex was one of the outstanding religious and cultural centers in the feudal time Georgia. It is located some 40 km from Tbilisi, in Mtskheta region, on the left bank of river Mtkvari. 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. Shiomgvime monastic complex includes: dome church of John the Baptist (middle of VI c.), the Upper church (XI-XII cc.), refectory (XII c.) and a chapel near monastery (XII c.). Water was supplied to monastery from the hamlet of Skhaltbi. Shiomgvime was a hotbed of culture and education in medieval Georgia. The library of Shiomgvime kept a rich collection of manuscripts. In Tbilisi the monastery held vending booths and bred livestock for sale. It enjoyed privilege and was exempt from any court (partly), Eparchy and state taxes. From VI century up to the beginning of XII century Shiomgvime was in the direct supervision of Catholicos-Patriarch. David Agmashenebeli turned it into a Royal ownership. In XIII-XVIII centuries political and economic position of Shiomgvime went down. In XIX-XX centuries Shiomgvime was fundamentally restored.

Комплекс Ананури (храм и город-кре¬пость – XVI-XVII вв.) находится в Душет-ском районе в 23 км. от города Душети, в долине реки Арагви, на берегу Жинвальского водохранилища. Ананури был резиденцией эриставов (правителей) Арагви (до 1743 года). и состоял: из верхней (XVIIв.) и нижней (XVIII в.) крепостей и входящих в него мир¬с¬ких и церковных строений: пятиэтажной башни пирамидальной формы ананурской цита¬дели (XIV-Xвв.), однонефной церковью XVI-XVII века «Мкурнали» («Бо¬жество»), купольной церкви середины XVII в. «Гвтаэба» («Божество») и главного храма (который в 1689 году по указанию арагвского эристава Бар¬дзима построил Каихосро Багсарашвили). Фрес¬ко¬вая живопись глав¬ного храма в настоящее время в значительной степени повреждена. Двери и окна обра¬мляют рельефные композиции с резными орнаментами. В настоящее время Ананури один из самых хорошо сохранившихся историко-культурных памятников.

Неогеновые конгломераты, то есть природным путём цементируемая в гальке колонна скалы, высота которой 15 м. Диаметр нижней части колонны 4 м., к вверху постепенно сужается. В нижней части колонны Бодорно в стене двухкомнатная пещера с вырезанной тахтой. Примерно в 150-200 метрах от колонны возвышенна церковь Бодорни, Св. Богородицы, которая была построена в XVII веке. На окружающих склонах природного памятника достаточно много рукотворных пещер, которые в историческом прошлом предназначались для религиозных целей и для убежища.

С Гергети связан один мифологический и один исторический памятник (Гергетская Самеба). Мифо¬логия связана с пещерой Бетлеми (Вифлеема) и при-кованному к горам Кавказа Амирани. Согласно легенде, бог приковал к скале Амирани именно здесь и «накрыл его снежно-ледниковым Гергети и Казбеком».
Гергетская Самеба (Троицкая церковь) находится в Степанцминдском районе на правом берегу реки Чхера (левый приток Терека), на высоте 1800 метров над уровнем моря. Этот храм по своей композиции и гармоническому слиянию с ландшафтом является выдающимся образцом грузинского церковного зодчества. Расположенный на вершине горы, он виден издалека и с долины Терека смотрится очень эффектно. Гергетская Троица главная часовня в провинции Хеви и единственная купольная церковь в грузинском высокогорье. Этот храм был построен по приказу грузинского царя Георгия V Брцкинвале (Блистательного – 1318-1346 гг.) в период времени, ког¬да он составил для горцев закон «Уложение» («Дзеглисдеба») и способствовал утверждению хрис¬тианства в горных районах Грузии после векового монгольского владычества и полного разорения. Архитектурный комплекс обнесён оградой и состоит из купольной церкви Самеба (20-е гг. XIV в.), колокольни (II половина XIV в.) и традиционного для горцев помещения «сабчо» (XV в.), где собирались старейшины, чтобы решить важнейшие для горских племён вопросы. Храм сложен из обработанного андезитового квадра. Фасады храма и двухэтажной колокольни, а также купольного барабана украшены резными орнаментами. По сведениям Вахушти Баг¬ратиони, в период войн здесь хранились сокровища Мцхетского патриаршества и крест Св. Нино. По указу Каталикос-Патриарха всея Грузии Ильи II учреждён праздник Гергетской Троицы, который проводится ежегодно 16 июля. Здесь также широко отмечают Успение Пресвятой Богородицы Марии (28 августа).

River Aragvi gorge is situated to the north of Tbilisi and to the south of the main watershed of Kavkasioni. Its catchment area is 2740 sq.km that comprises 4% of the nation’s territory. The fall of the river attains 2700 meters that speaks for great energy potential it has. It is on the 9-th place in the overall volume of potential energy sources. In the basin of river Aragvi there are many rivers under label Aragvi, especially noteworthy for their size are Mtiuleti (White), Gudamakari (Black), Pshavi and Khevsureti Aragvis. Black Aragvi flows into White Aragvi near Pasanauri, and Khevsureti Aragvi into Pshavi Aragvi – near village of Udzilaurta. Pshavi and Mtiuleti Aragvi converge into a single river and flow into Mtkvari near Mtskheta.
River Aragvi gorge is noted with its natural variety. On the perimeter of river flow climate data are rather contradictory. Indicators of average air temperature in July hover from +10 to +230C, and in January – from +100C to 00C, the volume of precipitation swings from 1800 mm to 500 mm. In its catchment area there are 7 types of landscapes that increase perceptional and esthetic value of the gorge.
River Aragvi is characterized by diverse regime of feeding. At its source it gets nourishment from waters of melting snow, in the middle body it gets its feed from melting snow and rain waters, and in the lower flow – from rain and underground waters. Its waters are used by Tbilisi residents, Zhinvali water basin and hydro power plants, Tbilisi water pool (sea), Aragvi gorge settlements and irrigated territories.
Aragvi gorge is distinguished with unique sceneries. It is the most important recreational region for Tbilisi dwellers and guests. Within a very short distance here and in a short time span it is possible to visit assorted natural and ethnographic attractions.

Glacier summit is located in northern Georgia, on the side plateau of Kavkasioni, on the border with Russia. Its height is 5033 meters. It is the highest summit of eastern Georgia. The local population calls it Bride of the Gorge, neighbor Tusheti residents call it Lion and residents of Pshavi – Ghergheti. For the Russians the summit is known as Kazbek and for the Ossetians – Urskhokhi (Snow Mountain).
The Ghergheti glacier spreads to the southeastern knee of the glacier summit. Its length is 7,1 km (the longest in Georgia) and area is 11 sq. km. The tongue of the glacier goes down to 2900 meters above the sea level. In its vicinity is situated a high-mountain meteorological station of Kazbeghi which was founded 70 years ago. Here was registered the lowest temperature in Georgia (-420C) which can be explained by the height of the site (3700 m above the sea level) and the influence of Ghergheti glacier. On the boundary of Ghergheti glacier there is one mythological and one historical monument (Ghergheti Sameba). Mythology tells the story of the Bethlehem cave and Amiran chained at Kavkasioni. As the narrative goes, God has chained Amiran to the rock exactly here and ‘Capped him with snowy and icy Ghergheti and Kazbeghi Mountain’.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, has introduced a Ghergheti Sameba celebration on July 16 every year. There is also a big celebration of the Assumption of Virgin Mary here (August 28).

Dariali gorge looking like a canyon lies in northern Georgia, in the border belt with Russia, in the area of river Terek. It evolved from Paleozoic granite rocks which are part of the ultimate eastern volcanic process developed in the Central Kavkasioni some 300-400 million years ago. A gorge cut into volcanic rocks is narrow and has steep slopes. Its length is 11 kilometers and relative height exceeds thousand meters.
Within the gorge there are represented several types of landscapes, among them dominating is high-mountain paleoglacier, volcanic and erosion and denudation relief, pine-tree forest, sub-Alpine and Alpine meadows.
Darialani is a Persian word and means Gates of Alans (Ossetians). Georgians mention it under the name of Aragvi Gates, since earlier river Terek was called Aragvi. Other peoples called Dariali Dariela, Gates of Iberia, Gates of Caspian sea, Gates of Sarmatia, Gates of the Gorge and many other names.
For the Caucasus Dariali gorge had ultimate military and geographic importance. It connected North and South Caucasus, however during centuries it was rather difficult transit communication. Landslides were frequent in winter and stone falls used to be the reason of its blocking in summer.
In Dariali Gorge in the first century Georgians erected military fortifications for self-defense from northern tribes. Nowadays the gorge is an object of constant supervision – an automobile road connecting Georgia and Russia was constructed here as well as a gas pipeline laid.

The hamlet of Shatili is located in Upper Khevsureti, 15 km from the town of Dusheti, 1000 m above the sea level. Peppered on the rock, Khevsureti towers were fortified living quarters which defended from enimy invasions not only a hamlet but played the role of northern barrier for the whole of Georgia and defended the nation from intrusions of nomadic tribes.
Fortified houses are attached to each other and thus they create a unified defence wall. Buildings are arranged as terraces. They have flat roofing. Between houses, across the whole village is paved a stone stairway. The hamlet of Shatili consists of several neighborhoods (Anatori, Kavchi, Middle Hamlet, Zenubani) which are connected with each other by narrow passages. At the entrance to the hamlet is a stand-alone building called Sapikhvno – a one-story building where male population of the hamlet used to assemble for making decisions on diverse issues and for discussions.
Mutso is the oldest fortified village of the Upper Khevsureti in the middle of the gorge of river Ardoti. It ceased to exist in the 20-ies of XIX century after invasion of Shamil’s warriors. Village is located on three terraces and is built of slate. In the middle of the terrace is situated a stable Brolis Kalo. Also there is an icon of St. George and lookout tower. Fortress houses are 4-6-story buildings. A barn is on the first level, a sheepfold on the second, living quarters on the third and fourth floors. Upper levels were used as a stockroom and a closet.

Ananuri complex (cathedral and fortified town – XVI-XVII cc.) is located in Dusheti region, about 23 km from the town of Dusheti, in river Aragvi gorge, on the coast of Zhinvali water basin. Ananuri used to be a residence of Aragvi rulers (up to 1743) and consisted of Upper (XVII c.) and Lower (XVIII c.) fortresses and secular and religious constructions included in it: pyramid-type five-floor tower of Ananuri citadel (XIV-XV cc.), one-nave church Mkurnali (Healer) (XVI-XVII cc.), dome cathedral of Deity (middle of XVII c.) and main cathedral (in 1689 was built by Kaikhosro Bagsarashvili by order of Aragvi ruler). Fresco painting of the main cathedral today is rather damaged. Doors and windows are trimmed by ornamented bas-relief compositions.
Citadel of Ananuri fortress consists of several towers of which only southern and western central towers are quadrangular, the rest of them have cylinder form. Walls of the fortress at first did not exceed 5-6 meters, but later they were added 2-3 meters. All towers of the citadel are for combat but are also equipped with living elements. The biggest and most distinguished is Sheupovari (Audacious). It has seven levels. It was equipped with gun emplacements, cannons and loopholes for pelting stones. Ananuri fortress had its own running water from western wall which was then collected in the repositories. Big strategic importance of Ananuri fortress is proved by the fact that in 1795 after defeat in Krtsanisi battle king Erekle II found refuge in Ananuri. Today Ananuri is one of the best preserved historical and

Klio Publishing House