The monastery of Ikalto is one of the oldest buildings in Georgia and the oldest in Kakheti. It is located near the village of Ikalto, 8 km from Telavi.

The monastery was founded in the VI century by Saint Zenon Caltiki. From the buildings of that period almost nothing left. Still preserved temples were built in the VIII century In the same time on the territory of the monastery were built in the winepress grapes and storage for wines, partially extant. In the XII century, during the reign of king David the Builder of the assumption was erected the temple and the building of the Academy. This Academy is known for its walls studied Shota Rustaveli.

The building of the Academy was an example of civil architecture. Unfortunately, to date it has not survived in 1616, it was destroyed by the hordes of Shah Abbas I. Since then, the monastery of Ikalto virtually ceased to exist. The revival of the monastery began only in the XIX C.

The monastery of Ikalto has lost its former luster, but despite this he remained a worthy place to visit by tourists. The monastery is home to several ancient temples VI-XIII centuries, the ruins of the Academy and the dumping of Zeno Equalitycare.

In the centre of the complex you can see the domed Church of Hutaba (St. Spirit), built the VIII-IX century In the nineteenth century was reconstructed. To the South of the main temple is built by the XII century Church of the assumption. In the North-East of the temple of Hutaba stands the Church of the Holy Trinity - the Holy Trinity, built in the VI century the Church has an original architecture is a two storey building, on the second tier which leads to the external staircase. The ruins of the two storey buildings of the Academy are to the right of the entrance. On the ground floor was home to several business and support areas. On the second floor was a large hall, in which are preserved two window apertures in the form of arches.