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A twenty-minute scenic drive out of downtown Tbilisi lands you in Georgia's ancient capital, Mtskheta (pronounced sort of like "Sketa"). Set at the confluence of the country's two largest rivers, this historical city is dominated by the giant 12th century The Life-Giving Pillar Cathedral (Sveti Tskhoveli), one of the most sacred placed in all of Georgia. Inside the walls are covered in superb frescos, including a dramatic depiction of the Apocalypse. Due to its cultural significance the entire city has been made a UNESCO historical site and is fully protected.
Long an important trading centre, Mtskheta gained great advantage from its location on the two rivers for good could travel in three directions. Settled since at least the fourth century BC the remains of an acropolis can still be found on Begineti Hill. Surrounded by beautiful forest covered mountains and hills, filled with historic architecture and charming restaurants and about as quaint and well preserved a place as you can find, this is a historical treasure not to be missed.
Above on the hill overlooking the town is the picturesque Jvari Church, which dates back to the 6th century AD. Every October Mtskheta fills with over a hundred thousand visitors to celebrate the town's annual festival.
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![](/showPic.php?image=180146b434018303a_big.jpg&title="Jvari" Monastery VI Century)
![](/showPic.php?image=1320046b4341032e7b_big.jpg&title="Svetickhoveli" Church XII Century)
