# Samtavro Monastery > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Samtavro_Monastery > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Samtavro_Monastery.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samtavro_Monastery > Source revision: 1350568054 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Georgian Orthodox Christian monastery complex}} thumb|250px|Samtavro Church thumb|250px|Nun takes care of tombs near the church '''Samtavro Monastery''' ({{lang-ka|სამთავროს მონასტერი}}) is a [Georgian Orthodox](/source/Georgian_Orthodox) Christian monastery complex that combines '''Samtavro Transfiguration Church''' and '''Nunnery of [St. Nino](/source/St._Nino)''' in [Mtskheta](/source/Mtskheta), [Georgia](/source/Georgia_(country)). Built presumably in the 4th century by the [King Mirian III](/source/Mirian_III_of_Iberia), and reconstructed in the 11th century by the [King George I](/source/George_I_of_Georgia) and Catholicos-Patriarch [Melchizedek I](/source/Melchizedek_I_of_Georgia), Samtavro is an important [Early](/source/Early_Medieval) and [High Medieval](/source/High_Medieval) historical and architectural monument, and was inscribed on the [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) [World Heritage List](/source/World_Heritage_List) in 1994 along other historical monuments in Mtskheta.{{cite web |title = Historical Monuments of Mtskheta |url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/708 |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization}} Samtavro church is [cross-in-square](/source/cross-in-square) temple, with arches and other decorations typical for the 11th century [Georgian architecture](/source/Architecture_of_Georgia_(country)). The graves of Mirian III and the famous Georgian Saint [monk Gabriel](/source/The_Monk_Gabriel) are located in the yard of Samtavro Church. ==History== The monastery was constructed in the northwestern part of the old town of [Mtskheta](/source/Mtskheta). Unfortunately, no inscriptions remain to tell about its construction time. According to the Georgian [hagiographic](/source/hagiographic) sources the monastery was established in the 4th century, during the reign of the King [Mirian III of Iberia](/source/Mirian_III_of_Iberia), when a small church was built here by [Saint Nino](/source/Saint_Nino) in connection with conversion of Georgia in [Christianity](/source/Christianity). Mirian and his wife [Nana](/source/Nana_of_Iberia) were buried in the monastery. thumb|left|The tombs of Mirian and Nana The name "Samtavro" can be translated from the [Georgian language](/source/Georgian_language) as "ruler's place", from {{lang-ka|მთავარი|tr}} "ruler". The main temple is stylistically dated to the first half of the 11th century, and was probably built or rebuilt soon after [Svetitskhoveli](/source/Svetitskhoveli) cathedral, with Catholicos-Patriarch [Melchizedek I](/source/Melchizedek_I_of_Georgia). Its dome was destroyed in [1283 by an earthquake](/source/1283_Samtskhe_earthquake), and restored some time between the end of 13th and the beginning of 14th century. From around the same time dates the altar [iconostasis](/source/iconostasis). Minor renovations have also been done for the facades. The wall, surrounding the monastery, was built in the [Late Middle Ages](/source/Late_Middle_Ages), with the bell-tower added in 16th century. Original frescos did not survive, and the new were painted in 16-17th century. Other renovations were made in 17th century and later. The iconostasis, built of stone, was constructed in 18th century. Grave stones for the burials of [Mirian](/source/Mirian_III_of_Iberia) and his wife Nana were made in 19th century. ==Architecture== Samtavro church is a typical example of a [cross-in-square](/source/cross-in-square) temple. Its dome rests on two pillars and the projecting walls of the altar apsidal. Being a later reconstruction, the dome does not fit into general proportions and the style of the 11th century. The church has two entrances: southern, with the [portal](/source/portal_(architecture)), and western. The facades are made of yellow and brown stones. The portal, decorated in [arch](/source/arch)es, also has rather fine ornamental carvings on [plafond](/source/plafond)s. Open interior is well illuminated from windows, both on the dome and on all four walls of the church. thumb|left|Decorations of the southern facade and the dome In accordance with the standards of 11th century, putting accent on decorations, the facades are richly decorated, but variously, considering difference in the illumination. Such dualism is not common for that period.Джанберидзе Н., Мачабели К. (1981) Тбилиси. Мцхета. Москва: Искусство, 255 c. (In Russian) Accent was made on southern and northern facades. Decorations of the southern facade are rather fine, but rougher on the northern. The architect's idea was to express the effect of line movement. Eastern facade is more reserved. Most of the contrast here is created by triangular niches. Arches and windows have the signs of later alterations, including addition of the cross of the wall. Decorations of the western facade are even more simple. Portal here is more recent. Fragments of frescos remain in the dome and altar. Apart from the main temple, the monastery includes a small church, the bell-tower, a cylindrical tower, remnants of palace and some modern structures, all surrounded by the wall. right|thumb|St. Nino's Church The bell-tower, situated in the north-west corner of the wall, has three floors. The ground floor incorporates the entrance to the territory, the first floor was served both for observation and for living, and the second floor is an open belfry. A small church, standing to right of the entrance, was rebuilt several times. It was said to be originally built by [Saint Nino](/source/Saint_Nino) of [Cappadocia](/source/Cappadocia), who converted Georgia into [Christianity](/source/Christianity). ==Burials== The tombs of King [Mirian III](/source/Mirian_III_of_Iberia) and his wife Nana, are found inside the church in the south-west part. == See also == * [Starets](/source/Starets) * [Monasticism](/source/Monasticism) * [Eastern Orthodox Church](/source/Eastern_Orthodox_Church) ==References== {{Reflist}} *Джанберидзе Н., Мачабели К. (1981) Тбилиси. Мцхета. Москва: Искусство, 255 c. (In Russian) *Закарая, П. (1983) Памятники Восточной Грузии. Искусство, Москва, 376 с. (In Russian) == External links == {{commons category|Samtavro Monastery}} * [http://www.monkgabriel.ge www.monkgabriel.ge] * A short documentary has been made on Samtavro, by director Nora Philippe, in 2011: [http://www.film-documentaire.fr/Samtavro.html,film,33846''Samtavro''] {{Georgian Churches}} {{World Heritage Sites in Georgia}} {{coord|41|50|47|N|44|43|03|E|region:GE_source:kolossus-cswiki|display=title}} Category:Georgian Orthodox monasteries Category:Georgian Orthodox church buildings in Mtskheta Category:Tourist attractions in Mtskheta-Mtianeti Category:Burial sites of the Chosroid dynasty Category:World Heritage Sites in Georgia (country) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Samtavro Monastery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samtavro_Monastery) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samtavro_Monastery?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.