About Metekhi Temple

Metekhi temple (also known as Metekhi Castle) is an ancient monument in Tbilisi dating back to the 12th century. It has been the citadel and the residence of Georgian kings. The temple is situated near the left bank of the Kura River, the residence of Georgian tsars. The first Georgian martyr, St. Shushanik, who was murdered by her fire worshipper husband in the 5th century AD was buried under the vaults of this temple.

History

The temple has been ruined and reconstructed for many times. Its first restoration took place after the Mongol invasion, when it was heavily damaged. In the 15th century it was destroyed again by Persians. The Georgian tsars restored the temple in the 16th-17th centuries. The next resconstruction was in the mid-19th century; all the surrounding fortifications were dismantled and later on replaced with a prison building.

During the period of the Menshevik government (May 1918 to February 1921), Metekhi served as a prison for political prisoners. From 1934 to 1942, the castle hosted the Georgian SSR State Museum of Art. In 1959, as a cause of an urban renewal, Metekhi was destroyed again. The Metekhi Temple is under the government's protection as an example of ancient Georgian culture.

How It Looks Today

Currently the high brick structure square in plan with the round turret can be found covered by a peaked roof in the center – the remains of the ancient fortress, the monastery and the temple.

The bronze equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, the founder of the city, stands in front of the temple. A modern monument to be admired by tourists.