GeorgiaOfficial tourism
David Gareja Monastery Complex

Where monks carved faith into desert stone

David Gareja Monastery Complex

Why go

David Gareja is a sixth-century cave monastery complex straddling the Azerbaijan border, founded by the Assyrian monk David Garejeli and his twelve disciples. Its hundreds of cells, churches, and chapels were hewn directly into the sheer rock faces of the Gareja ridge, creating one of the most extraordinary sacred landscapes in the Orthodox world. The Lavra and Udabno monasteries preserve stunning medieval frescoes—some damaged by Soviet neglect, others remarkably intact—while the stark semi-desert terrain offers sweeping views across the Alazani valley toward the Greater Caucasus. It remains an active monastic community, with monks maintaining ancient traditions of prayer, icon painting, and hospitality in this austere borderland.

On the ground See

  • Udabno monastery with its 10th-13th century frescoes of the Last Judgment and royal portraits, including Tamar the Great
  • The Lavra monastery and cave of St. David, the complex's spiritual heart with original sixth-century foundations
  • The rugged three-hour ridge hike between monasteries, revealing wild tulips in spring and panoramic desert vistas

Practical Know before you go

Best visited April-June or September-October; summer brings extreme heat and winter occasional snow-blocked roads—Sagarejo is the nearest town, 100km from Tbilisi by marshrutka or organized tour, with the final 20km on unpaved track.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly