Metekhi St. Virgin Church

We crossed the European Square and visited Metke Church on the nearby highlands. This ancient church is relatively simple in its interior, but its historical value is not simple, because it used to be a prison for Comrade Gorky, a great writer we knew from childhood in the Soviet era. In front of the church is a large sculpture of the father of Georgia, Wahtag I of the Kingdom of Liberia, Georgia. This place is also said to be the origin of the city of Tbilisi. Take a break in front of Metke Church, which overlooks the European Square, the Kula River, and the "Mother of Georgia" sculpture at the top of the hillside not far away. The hillside, called Surolak, lies above the old city of Tbilisi.

On the opposite side of the river, the old city, on a hill in the upper city, you can see the river banks, fortresses and statues of mothers from the church. The view is very good. There is also the Peace Bridge. Sitting on the bench at the church entrance, you can see that the city feels really good. Unfortunately, the cable car is being repaired. There are many big dogs at the church entrance. Don't bite people. Don't be afraid.

The statue of King Wahtanger I stands in front of Metsch Church on a high ground beside the Kura River. The building, originally used as a fortress for hundreds of years, was later used as a church, prison, and has now been restored to church use. The interior space of the building is narrow and the decoration is very simple. From the high ground you can see the cable car on the top of Surolak Hill across the road.

On the banks of the Tbiliskura River... The towering Cathedral of Metsch on the cliff!

Metsch Church was first built in the 5th century. Although it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, it still maintains its original style, which is rare. I don't know if it was near the palace at the earliest time. Metis Church was used as a prison in the Soviet Union. There were many famous people in that time, including famous Soviet writers, poets, critics, political commentators, scholars, Gorky, who came back to church after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In front of the church is a statue of the father of Georgia, King Wahtag I of the Kingdom of Iberia of Georgia, whipping his horse. Legend has it that in the 5th century, Wahtag I hunted in this area, and the Falcon was wounded and fell into a hot spring to recover (another is burned to death). The king was amazed at this, so he cut down the forest and built the city. Where Metsey Church is located is the earliest city of Tbilisi.