On the way we stopped at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral located in the former capital of Mtskheta. The cathedral was built in 1029 and is the main pilgrimage place on the Silk Road. It is also famous as the burial place of Christ’s Robe, with many tombs of Georgian Kings, including Erekle I and II and the most frequently visited place in Georgia. The name Svetitskhoveli is translated as a “live-giving pillar”.
Legend has it that Jesus Christ’s tunic was brought by a local Jewish man Eliazar, who had witnessed his crucifiction, which he brought back to Georgia. His sister, Sidonia, kept the tunic and gave her soul to God, no one could take the precious thing from her and therefore she was buried holding the tunic, in the Cathedral on which a monument has been placed. There is also said to be a piece of the crucifiction cross, inside a cloisonne decorated cross.
The cathedral has many hidden rooms within the walls, for locals to hide from invading forces. There is even a well in 8ne 8f the small chapels. It has has fortified walls around it.
There are currently 15 monks in residence on the site, who teach and help maintain the Cathedral. It is a very popular place to get married, with up to 50 performed each day in peak season!
On the hill above the cathedral is the Holy Cross Monastery of Jvari, wherein lies a large wooden cross, the monastery was built in the 6th century. The original cross in the church was created by Saint Nino, had sloping sides, as it was made from grapevines.
Our last stop was the Ikorta Social Enterprise where we had a fabulous lunch, followed by a cloisonne enamel workshop, where we each made a pendant, which will be returned to us before the end of our trip, once it has been treated and polished.
The Enterprise was set up following 26,000 people becoming internally displaced as a result of Russian troops invading Georgia (Sakartvelo) in 2008, they were forced to flee their homes in Akhalgori and Samachablo. Despite the chaos, injuries, and grief, they miraculously escaped the bullets and found shelter in the Internally Displaced People settlement of Tserovani. With International Humanitarian Aid, in just 3 months, 2,000 identical homes were built, each having 300sqm of land and a 40sqm one story property and all with the same furniture, as most fled with no possessions.
Anna at Ikorta Studio explained that they produce more than just beautiful jewelry; it provides internally displaced Georgians hope. Despite the difficulties and challenges they have faced along the way, Ikorta represents a better future for their community.