Samtavro monastery is located in the ancient city of Mtskheta on the site of the garden of king Mirian. In translation, Samtavro means "Royal territory". Here the king was baptized in 326, and then he declared Christianity the state religion of Georgia.
The first small Church of Saint Nina on the territory of the Samtavro monastery was built by king Mirian himself. It is called the Holy of Holies, and even the king did not touch its doors. In the future, this Church was rebuilt, but in general, it has preserved the features of the temple of the 4th century. Since the 11th century, Samtavro was a monastery for men, but in 1820 it became a women`s monastery.
Saint Nina was buried in 347 in the Bodbe monastery on the territory of Kakheti. After returning from her funeral, king Mirian began construction of the great Transfiguration Cathedral in the Samtavro monastery, which became a tomb for him. The Transfiguration Cathedral of the 11th century has been preserved to this day. It was built at the same time as the Svetitskhoveli Temple. The Cathedral was badly damaged during the invasion of Tamerlane, as well as due to the earthquake of 1283, but it was restored in the 13th century.
In later centuries, churches of the Archangel Michael and John the Baptist were built in the monastery. The bell tower and wall of the monastery were built in the 19th century. In addition to king Marian and his wife Nana, many saints revered in Georgia are buried in the monastery.
Saint Gabriel, famous throughout Georgia, is also buried here. He became Abbot of the Samtavro monastery in 1971. Many people came to him for help. During his lifetime, he was called an elder who helped his spiritual children. Gabriel died in 1995 and was canonized in 2012. Now his relics are kept in the Transfiguration Cathedral.
