Metekhi Church, witness to the long history of the Georgian capital, is located on a small hill on the banks of the Kura river. Initially this place was a Palace of local kings, built by the founder of the city - Vakhtang Gorgasali. Near the Palace is approximately in the XII century was built the Church of St. Mary. All the buildings were surrounded by powerful fortifications.

During the invasion of the Mongols in 1235 the Palace and the temple were destroyed. In 1278-1289, the monastery was restored. During the XV century it was destroyed again, but the Persians. Every Georgian king considered it his duty to revive the temple, making it the oldest building preserved until today. The modern building of the Metekhi temple dates from the late XIII century With a brick dome was installed much later in the XVIII C.

Near the Church in the XVII century was built a defensive fortress, which later turned into a prison. Himself Metekhi temple has undergone abuse, after he in the nineteenth century was turned into barracks Cossack regiment. During the development of the city in 1959, Metekhi castle completely destroyed. In 1987, underwent major restoration of the temple. Since 1988, Metekhi temple again became active Church Georgian Church.

On the Eastern side of the monastery you can see the carved inscription, which reads: "King Irakli force took the fortress from the enemy... ". Under the arches of the Church are buried the Queen Shushanika Rana - first Georgian Martyr, murdered in article V husband fire worshipper. In the Church there is the icon of Saint Shushanik.

Before entering the Metekhi Church stands a bronze equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, who became one of the symbols of Tbilisi.