Since time immemorial, this site was a center of pagan worship. On a high hill stood a massive oak tree, regarded as a sacred pagan shrine protecting fertility, prosperity, and family well-being. The local people revered the tree, and priests even sacrificed infants there. The first church was built precisely on the site of this oak tree (date unknown), dedicated to St. Andrew the First-Called, who preached Christianity in Samegrelo. In the 7th century, the Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral was constructed, whose altar was founded upon sacred relics — cut oak roots. The church was severely damaged during the Arab-Turkish invasions. In the 10th century, King George II of Abkhazia restored the cathedral. Since then, it has undergone numerous renovations and changes in appearance.

Did you know that...

1. In the 10th century, the hymnist Ioane Minchkhi served here.

2. According to "The Georgian Chronicles " Bagrat IV is buried at the Martvili Monastery.

3. The monastery formerly had a scriptorium - a place where copying monks worked, books were translated, and original works were created.

4. The floor of Martvili Monastery is covered with tiles that have been preserved since ancient times and were crafted in the 18th century.

5. To the southwest of the main church stands the ruins of a building known as the “Sveti.” The lower part of the Sveti contained an entrance, while above it were a cell and a chapel. According to historians, a hesychast lived here in the early 11th century. Even as late as the mid-19th century, a hermit resided here.