Kintsvisi Monastery

ყინცვისი

A 12th–13th-century monastery renowned for its exquisite frescoes, including the famous 'Kintsvisi Angel.' Set on a wooded hillside, it is one of the finest examples of Georgian Golden Age church art.

Things to do

• Admire the Kintsvisi Angel — Seek out the celebrated fresco of an angel painted in luminous 'Kintsvisi blue' lapis lazuli inside the Church of St. Nicholas.
• Explore the Church of St. Nicholas — Step inside the brick-built early 13th-century church to see its remarkable cycle of Golden Age wall paintings.
• Find the historical portraits — Look for the depictions of Queen Tamar and King Giorgi III among the frescoes, rare royal images from Georgia's Golden Age.
• Walk the wooded hillside grounds — Stroll the forested slopes surrounding the complex to appreciate the monastery's secluded, contemplative setting.
• See the smaller chapels — Visit the modest older stone chapel and other structures scattered around the main church that predate it.
• Photograph the valley views — Take in the panorama over the Dzama Valley and its greenery from the monastery terrace.

Food to try

• Khinkali — Georgian soup dumplings twisted with spiced meat, best enjoyed at guesthouses in nearby Kareli or Gori.
• Shida Kartli fruit and churchkhela — The region is famed for its orchards, so sample fresh apples, peaches, and grape-must churchkhela candle sweets.
• Khachapuri — Cheese-filled bread served hot, a staple at any local table in the Kartli countryside.
• Homemade wine — Try local Kartli wines made from regional grapes, often poured straight from family qvevri cellars.
• Mtsvadi — Georgian barbecue of skewered pork or veal grilled over grapevine coals, common at roadside eateries.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly for the church — Cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a headscarf as the site remains an active place of worship.
• No flash photography — The medieval frescoes are fragile, so avoid flash and check whether photography is permitted before shooting inside.
• Bring your own transport — The monastery sits off the main road on a hillside near Kareli with little public transport, so a car or taxi is best.
• Respect quiet worship — Keep voices low and be mindful of monks and pilgrims, as this is a functioning monastery not just a museum.

Nearby

• Gori — 18 km
• Ateni Sioni Church — 19 km
• Uplistsikhe — 25 km
• Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park (Samtskhe-Javakheti) — 40 km