An important period for Sapara Monastery began in the 1330s, when the Mongols invaded Georgia. At that time, Samtskhe had already separated from the Georgian kingdom, and its rulers, the Jakeli family, were subordinate to the Mongol central authority, although they still held Georgian noble titles. It was during this period that the Jakelis transformed Sapara Monastery into their residence and family burial site. Today, monks still live there.

Did you know that…

1. The Sapara complex includes the following buildings: a single-nave chapel dedicated to St. Stephen; the Safara palace; a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist; the domed church of St. Saba; the Dormition Church; a chapel dedicated to St. Demetrius; a chapel dedicated to St. John Chrysostom; a bell tower; and the Church of St. George.

2. In the 19th century, Sapara Monastery was completely abandoned and fell into ruin.

3. Religious activity at Safara resumed in the 1850s. Initially, Georgian monks settled in the monastery, and in 1893, a Russian monastery was established there. The Russian monastery lasted only until the Soviet period.