Samtavro necropolis Archaeological Site
Ancient burial complex near Mtskheta with historic graves
Near Mtskheta's historic core, the Samtavro necropolis contains medieval tombs adjacent to important churches; visitors come for archaeological remains, early Georgian architecture and pilgrimage routes.
Samtavro necropolis at a Glance#
Address: Samtavro area, Mtskheta, Georgia
Hours: Site usually accessible daylight hours
How to Get to Samtavro necropolis#
The necropolis is a short walk from the centre of Mtskheta (roughly 5-10 minutes from Svetitskhoveli Cathedral). Mtskheta is about 20 km north of Tbilisi and is served by marshrutkas and taxis from Tbilisi’s Didube or Avlabari stations; drive time is roughly 30-40 minutes.
Tips for Visiting Samtavro necropolis#
- Combine a visit to the Samtavro Monastery and the necropolis for context - the two sites sit within a short walk of each other
- Go early morning to catch soft light on the carved tombstones and avoid tour groups visiting nearby Jvari and Svetitskhoveli
- Bring a guidebook or guide: many medieval epitaphs are only interpretable with basic knowledge of Georgian epigraphy
Best Time to Visit Samtavro necropolis#
Visit in spring or autumn to avoid midsummer heat and the busiest tour windows in nearby Mtskheta.
Weather & Climate near Samtavro necropolis#
Samtavro necropolis's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (547 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -2° - 5° | 0° | 23 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 1.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Acceptable | -2° - 6° | 0° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 4° | 37 mm | overcast | 68% | 1.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 54 mm | overcast | 66% | 1.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.2h |
| May | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 80 mm | overcast | 65% | 1.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| June | Very Good | 14° - 26° | 20° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 59% | 1.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.0h |
| July | Excellent | 18° - 29° | 23° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 53% | 1.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 14.7h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 29° | 23° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 51% | 1.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 14° - 24° | 19° | 38 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 1.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 3° - 12° | 7° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 0° - 7° | 2° | 27 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
