Getting There
You can use public transport, hire a taxi, or private car. It takes about 40 minutes of driving from Tbilisi to Mtskheta.
What to Expect
When you arrive at the site, you will first see a sarcophagus, followed by the queen’s bath, king’s bath, a six-apse temple with a wine cellar, a two-cell structure followed by a six-column hall, and a single-nave church. All of the places are well-marked and include brief descriptions, making it easier for visitors to grasp the history preserved at the dig.
History
Armaztsikhe translates as “Armazi’s Castle”. Armazi was the supreme pagan deity of the Kingdom of Iberia, of which Mtskheta was once the capital. According to historical sources, in the 3rd century BC King Parnavaz, who was called “Armaz” in Persian, named the deity after himself. Today several places in Mtskheta, including Armaztsikhe-Bagineti, are named after this god.
