GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Akhali Shuamta

Ancient stone prayers in Kakheti's green silence

Akhali Shuamta

Why go

Akhali Shuamta, meaning 'New Shuamta,' was founded in the 5th–6th century by St. Zenon, one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers who shaped Georgian Christianity. The complex holds two churches: a small domed church and a larger three-aisled basilica, both built from carefully cut stone without mortar. Unlike its famous neighbor Dzveli Shuamta ('Old Shuamta'), this site remained active through centuries, its monks preserving manuscripts and liturgical traditions. The reward is profound solitude—no tour buses, no entry fees, just wind through chestnut forests and walls that have witnessed 1,500 years of uninterrupted prayer. It embodies Kakheti's deeper promise: spiritual landscapes where history feels immediate and alive.

On the ground See

  • The smaller 6th-century domed church with its original stone altar and sparse, powerful interior
  • The larger basilica's medieval fresco fragments and the ancient stone baptismal font in the narthex
  • The forest path connecting to Dzveli Shuamta, allowing a contemplative walk between the 'New' and 'Old' monastic foundations

Practical Know before you go

Best visited May–October; from Telavi, drive 7 km toward Tusheti on the Alazani Valley road, then follow signs for 3 km on unpaved track—no public transport, so arrange private car or taxi.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly