Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, located about 20 kilometres to the north of Tbilisi. The city is fairly small but has one of the most historically important monuments in all of Georgia - the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

According to Georgian legend, a Jew from Mtskheta was in Jerusalem when Jesus Christ was crucified. The Jew bought the robe Christ was wearing and brought it back to Mtskheta. His sister, upon touching the robe, immediately died. Unable to seperate the robe from her grasp she was buried with it. On her grave grew a large Cedar tree. St Nino (the woman who introduced Christianity to Georgia) ordered the tree cut down to build seven columns for the foundation of the church. The seventh column rose by itself into the air. The column returned to earth after St Nino prayed all night. From the magical seventh column flowed a sacred liquid that would cure all diseases. In Georgian sveti means pillar and tskhoveli means life giving, hence the name.

Along with Christ's robe, there are many famous Georgian kings buried in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Also in front of the altar are tombs of David VI, George VIII, and members of the Bagrationi royal family including Tamar, the first wife of George XI.