Martvili Monastery

Martvili Monastery მარტვილის მონასტერი
The Martvili monastic complex.
Shown within Georgia (country)
Basic information
Location	Martvili, Martvili District, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare),  Georgia
Geographic coordinates	42°24′19″N 42°22′40″E / 42.4053°N 42.3778°E / 42.4053; 42.3778Coordinates: 42°24′19″N 42°22′40″E / 42.4053°N 42.3778°E / 42.4053; 42.3778
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
Region	Caucasus
Country	Georgia
Status	Active
Architectural description
Architectural type	Monastic complex
Architectural style	Georgian; Monastery
Founder	Andrew
Funded by	Rebuilt by King Giorgi II, 10th century
Groundbreaking	1st/7th century?
Completed	Original construction of Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral, late 7th century; rebuilt 10th century

Martvili Monastery (Georgian: მარტვილის მონასტერი) is a Georgian monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in the Martvili District of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare) of Georgia. It sits upon the highest hill in the vicinity and was of strategic importance.

The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the Samegrelo region.

The main Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral (Mingrelian: Chkoni translates to "oak") was reconstructed in the 10th century after invasions that destroyed the prior church. Preserved in the church are frescoes of the 14th to 17th centuries.

Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral floorplan

Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral

Cathedral drum and dome