What to See Inside the Complex

The main church, dedicated to the Nativity of the Mother of God, is a two-nave basilica whose northern nave is narrower than the southern. The two are separated by a two-arched arcade resting on a single massive pillar. The ceiling is cut directly into the adjoining rock, while the walls are faced with neatly hewn stone slabs. Inside, look for fragments of medieval frescoes, including donor portraits of Rati, his wife Rusudan, and his brother Niania on the wall of the northern nave.↗

The painted wooden iconostasis dates from the 18th century and is topped with a composition of the Saviour and the Twelve Apostles. Its doors are decorated with embossed metalwork plates depicting episodes from the life of Christ. Behind the central temple, the cave itself is used for services on major religious holidays, adding a powerful sense of continuity with the site's oldest use.↗↗

At the opposite side of the cave portal stands a small hall church dedicated to St. Catherine. Its ceiling and west wall are entirely natural rock; the façade is built of hewn stone. On its eastern wall, a bas-relief of a ram's head is carved into the stone, and frescoes are visible on the outer south wall. The exterior of both churches is richly adorned with ornamental stone carvings—decorative arches, window and door frames, sculpted crosses, interlocking rhombuses, and fretwork cornices in the classic Georgian style.↗↗↗

The complex also includes a two-storey bell tower and monastic dwellings, mostly from the 19th century, plus a set of buildings added in 2014 as part of the revived nunnery. Among its most celebrated medieval treasures—now preserved in the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi—are an 11th-century ornately carved wooden door known as the "vine door" and a hammered-metal icon of the Supplication from Racha.↗↗

Getting There and the Climb Up

The easiest approach is from the town of Chiatura, at the eastern edge of which the monastery stands on the right slope of the Kvirila River gorge. A narrow, rather long stone staircase climbs the cliff face from town level, leading to an artificially tunnelled passageway supported by arches. The ascent takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and is manageable for anyone comfortable with stairs. Wear sturdy shoes suitable for uneven stone steps, and carry water, as there are no vendors on-site.↗↗

Upon reaching the monastery courtyard, you'll find yourself on a balcony-like ledge with sweeping views into the river gorge below. The combination of the dramatic setting and the quiet monastic atmosphere—chanting from within the cave, birds circling the cliffs—makes this one of the most atmospheric visits in Imereti.↗

Visiting Practicalities

Mgvimevi is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry is free, though donations are welcome and appreciated. As an active nunnery, the site maintains a dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered, and women are asked to wear a headscarf. Silence and respectful behaviour are expected, as this is a functioning place of prayer for the resident nuns.↗↗↗

The entrance is not wheelchair accessible. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for the climb; summer can be hot on the exposed stairway, and winter brings cold winds off the gorge. Plan roughly one to two hours for the visit including the walk up and time spent exploring both churches and the cave interior.↗↗

Beyond the Monastery: The Kvirila Gorge

The Chiatura area is rich in karst caves and medieval monuments. Katskhi Pillar—a 40-metre natural column topped by a small chapel—lies within easy reach, and the nearby Sveri Fortress ruins recall the region's turbulent medieval history. For those interested in archaeology, the Dzudzuana Cave south of the village of Darkveti yielded a 32,000-year-old dyed flax fibre, among the earliest evidence of textile production anywhere in the world. Combining Mgvimevi with one or two of these sites makes a rewarding full day in Imereti.↗