4-11 Mtskheta area Monasterys

Today our driver Lavon (picked us up from the airport and will be driving us to and from Yerevan, Armenia) drove us to Mtskheta.  He tried to help me say Mtskheta but did not succeed.  There are a lot of monasteries in the area - most often in hard to reach areas.

Today is an overcast day with possible storms this afternoon.  Lavon is a good driver, just not what we are used to.  Traffic flows like blood in an artery.  The lanes on the highway are arbitrary.  Every one merges as if as one.

The building below is a main office for a big local bank.

Our first stop of the day is at the Jvari Monastery.  It was built by  the Prince of Kartl (Iberia), Stephanos Patrikios.

This location was prime as it is where two rivers merge.

Unfortunately I met this man - in a bad way.  I took his picture which greatly offended him.  He literately pushed me away and when I didn't completely leave the building he came after me and pushed me out the door.  The sign on the door said many things were forbidden, but photographs were allowed.  It did not say, except for photos of the man selling candles.  So I didn't get many photos inside the church.

Our next stop was t the Sveti-tskhovel or the cathedral of the Twelve Apostles built around 1010-1029.  Around 15 years ago there was no tourism in Georgia, so this is all new to the locals.  But they have stepped up to the plate - and have gotten the selling of things down to a science.

Thankfully no one chased me out of this cathedral!

We drove on.  And passed this cemetery.  I have never seen a crematory that had fences around each families burial area.

Then on to the mountains.

On to the St. Shio's Complex.  We had to walk up a very steep hill to reach the entrance.

The building below is the main sanctuary.   Photos were forbidden.  It was fantastic - so that was sad

But in the lower building it was OK to take pictures.  I think this one is newer.

The hill we walked up was very steep - this does not do it justice.

Our next stop was the Armazi Church - a 12 century church.  This was a miscommunication between us and our driver.  We wanted to go to the Armazi Excavation.  This turned out to be very interesting - as it started to rain and the road to the church was a very narrow one lane road with a lot of wash outs.  Lots of ups and downs on very scary mountain roads.

We did make it back safely - and eventually found the Armazi Excavations - only to find that they were not open to the public now.

Then on to our last scheduled stop of the day - the Dzalisi Excavations.  It was not open - but there was a phone number to call - and someone came out immediately.  For a fee he would lead us around.  This is not a very developed excavation.  But when the guide saw how interested Mike was he slowed down and let us enjoy it.

Mosaics inside the only building on the site

We passed by this church on our way home.  I asked to see it.  Lavon told me what the name was - but I have no idea what he said or how to spell it.

Then we headed back to Tbilisi.  We had to stop for cows crossing the road.  Ten these sheep.  They are heading up to the mountains for summer pastures and apparently don't know the rules yet - as they also crossed the road stopping traffic.

A famous statue in a traffic circle - could not understand our driver on who it was - someone very famous in Georgia.

Apartment buildings along the way.

Another monument in a traffic circle.

We got back around 5pm.  Internet was slow tonight - So now it is almost 11pm and I am just finishing.

It was a good day.