David Gareja Monastery

დავითგარეჯა

A remarkable rock-hewn Orthodox monastery complex carved into a semi-desert ridge on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. It features hundreds of ancient cave cells, chapels, and faded frescoes across a dramatic, otherworldly landscape.

Things to do

• Explore Lavra Monastery — Wander the still-active main monastery founded by David of Gareja in the 6th century, with its terraced courtyards, spring, and monks' cells carved into the cliff.
• Hike up to Udabno Caves — Climb the ridge behind Lavra to reach the Udabno monastery, home to remarkable cave chapels and some of Georgia's finest medieval frescoes.
• View the frescoes of the Last Supper — Seek out the faded but striking wall paintings depicting biblical scenes and the life of David Gareja, dating from the 10th to 13th centuries.
• Walk the disputed border ridge — Follow the ridgeline trail straddling the Georgia-Azerbaijan frontier for sweeping panoramas over the semi-desert badlands stretching in every direction.
• Photograph the striped desert landscape — Capture the surreal multicolored, layered hills and eroded gullies that give the area its otherworldly, almost lunar appearance.
• Spot desert wildlife — Watch for tortoises, snakes, eagles, and wildflowers that blanket the arid steppe, especially vivid in spring.

Food to try

• Khinkali — Order these juicy Georgian soup dumplings twisted at the top, best eaten by hand at guesthouses in nearby Udabno or Sagarejo.
• Churchkhela — Snack on this chewy string of nuts dipped in thickened grape juice, a portable Kakhetian sweet perfect for the long drive out.
• Kakhetian wine — Taste amber qvevri wines like Rkatsiteli and Saperavi in the surrounding Kakheti region, Georgia's most famous winemaking area.
• Shoti bread — Try the canoe-shaped bread baked on the walls of a clay tone oven, ideal alongside cheese and picnic supplies for the remote site.
• Lobio — Warm up with this hearty stewed bean dish seasoned with herbs and spices, often served in a clay pot with cornbread.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly to enter — Cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a headscarf, as Lavra is an active Orthodox monastery with resident monks.
• Bring water and sun protection — There are no shops or reliable water at the site, and the exposed semi-desert gets punishingly hot with little shade.
• Check the border situation — The Udabno caves lie on contested Georgia-Azerbaijan territory that has occasionally been closed to visitors, so verify access before going.
• Arrange transport in advance — There is no public transport, so hire a driver or join a day tour from Tbilisi, as the final road is rough and unpaved.

Nearby

• Sighnaghi — 49 km
• Bodbe Monastery — 50 km
• Tsinandali Estate — 52 km
• Telavi — 53 km