Urbnisi
Village on the Mtkvari near Kareli, site of an ancient city and a 6th to 7th century basilica, one of the oldest churches in Georgia.
UrbnisiPhoto: Aleksey Muhranoff, CC BY-SA 3.0Urbnisi is a village on a high left bank of the Mtkvari River in Kareli municipality, west of Gori. Beneath and around it lie the remains of one of the oldest cities in Georgia, inhabited from the 3rd millennium BC and a town of trade and crafts by the 4th century BC. The main sight is the cathedral of St Stephen, often called Urbnisi Sioni, a long three-nave basilica from the 6th to 7th centuries that was rebuilt in the 10th and 17th centuries.
The basilica keeps its early plan, and its long, simple interior feels very different from the domed churches elsewhere in the region. Nearby Ruisi Cathedral is the other half of the Ruisi-Urbnisi church council called by King David the Builder in 1103. Urbnisi is rarely busy, and it pairs well with Kintsvisi and Ateni Sioni on a day of churches from Gori.
History
Excavations show people lived here from the 3rd millennium BC, and Urbnisi became a city with trade and crafts in the 4th century BC. It remained an important town and church centre in early Christian Kartli. The Arab commander Marwan captured the city in the 730s. In 1103 to 1104 King David IV the Builder held a major church council at Ruisi and Urbnisi to deal with problems in the church hierarchy and strengthen royal authority.
What to see and do
- 6th to 7th century basilica of St Stephen (Urbnisi Sioni)
- Remains of the ancient city on the river terrace
- Views over the Mtkvari valley
- Nearby Ruisi Cathedral
How to visit
Getting there
Urbnisi is a short detour off the E60 highway in Kareli municipality, about 20 minutes by car west of Gori and around 1.5 hours from Tbilisi.
When to go
Spring and autumn. Plan 30–45 minutes here.
- Combine with Kintsvisi and Ateni Sioni for a church loop from Gori.
- Modest dress is expected inside the basilica.
- There are few facilities; bring water.
Urbnisi: FAQ
How old is the church at Urbnisi?
The basilica of St Stephen dates from the 6th to 7th centuries and was rebuilt in the 10th and 17th centuries. It is one of the oldest church buildings in Georgia.
What was the Ruisi-Urbnisi council?
It was a church council called by King David IV the Builder in 1103 to 1104 to deal with problems in the church hierarchy. It met at Ruisi and Urbnisi, both in Shida Kartli.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Urbnisi.
