GeorgiaOfficial tourism
David Gareji Cave Monasteries

Where monks carved faith into stone

David Gareji Cave Monasteries

Why go

The David Gareji complex is one of the most extraordinary spiritual landscapes in the Caucasus—hundreds of caves hand-dug into limestone cliffs between the 6th and 18th centuries by Georgian Orthodox monks. Founded by St. David of Gareji, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who spread Christianity in Georgia, this semi-desert colony became a center of learning, manuscript production, and ascetic practice. The frescoes of Lavra, Udabno, and Bertubani caves rank among the finest medieval religious art in the region, blending Byzantine and Persian influences. Beyond the art, the raw power of the place endures: wind-scoured cliffs, silence broken only by wind and chant, and views stretching across the Azerbaijani border—a reminder of how faith and politics have long intertwined here.

On the ground See

  • Udabno Monastery's 9th-13th century frescoes, including a rare depiction of the Last Judgment with Georgian inscriptions
  • The original 6th-century Lavra cells and refectory carved by St. David himself, still inhabited by monks
  • The Bertubani complex's royal chapel frescoes commissioned by Queen Tamar, showing the development of the Golden Age style

Practical Know before you go

Best visited April-June and September-October; the 90km drive from Tbilisi takes 2 hours on rough final roads, and the border zone requires staying on marked trails due to ongoing demarcation disputes with Azerbaijan.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly