The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the Samegrelo region.
The main Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral (Mingrelian: Chkoni translates to "oak") was reconstructed in the 10th century after invasions that destroyed the prior church.
Preserved in the church are frescoes of the 14th to 17th centuries.
Gallery
Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral floorplan
Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral
Cathedral drum and dome
Martvili monastery, September 2018
Martvili, seat of bishop, Chkhondidi eparchy at Martvili monastery
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