MONASTÈRE DE BODBÉ

The Bodbé monastery is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Georgia, and is the resting place of the national saint: Saint Nino, known for having converted Georgia in the ^4th century. Several Georgian kings were crowned at Bodbé, reinforcing the site's historical importance.

As early as the ^4th century, King Mirian built a first chapel at Bodbé, and King Vakhtang Gorgasali enlarged the church in the following century. In the ^8th and ^9th centuries, the basilica was built, then renovated in the ^12th century and again several times over the following centuries. Surprisingly for a Georgian church, several frescoes (dating from the ^19th century) depict scenes from the Old Testament. The tomb of Saint Nino is located in this basilica.

The site also houses a convent for nuns, still in operation today. Historically a monastery for monks, it was given over to nuns in 1889. During the Soviet era, the convent was closed and a hospital took its place. The church and convent reopened in 1991, after the collapse of the USSR.

In 2012, work began on a large new church right next to the basilica. The church is dedicated to Saint Nino (the basilica is dedicated to Saint George). We're a little sceptical about this modern building on such an important historical site.

About 1 km from the Bodbé monastery is the Sainte Nino spring, where you can take a dip.