Georgia contains the ancient city of Mtskheta, the former capital and religious center of Georgia.
Mtskheta lies at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, north of modern Tbilisi. It served as the capital of the ancient Georgian kingdom of Iberia until the capital moved to Tbilisi in the fifth century.
The city is central to Georgian Christianity. According to Georgian tradition, Saint Nino converted King Mirian III, and Christianity became the kingdom’s official religion in the early fourth century. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built on the site of earlier churches, remains one of Georgia’s most important religious buildings.
Mtskheta’s historic monuments, including Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, form a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is sometimes confused with Tbilisi because both are major Georgian historic centers, but Mtskheta is the older former capital and a major pilgrimage destination.