Monastery of the Holy Cross, associated with the name of Shota Rustaveli, the roads every Georgian, but belongs to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem (Greek Orthodox Church).

It is situated to the west of Jerusalem, between the rich residential area, and government buildings. However, in ancient times it was away from the city and private place. And it is very important for Christians - tradition says that this is where the tree grew, which they cross for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The first monastery was built here back in the IV century - as legend has it, on the orders of Emperor Constantine. Later, the Persians and the Arabs did not just kill the monks and destroyed the building.

The new monastery built on the ruins of the XI century Georgian monk Giorgi Shavteli (gave money to build the Georgian king Bagrat IV Curopalates). But in the XII century, is considered by many historians, there appeared the great Georgian poet, author of the famous poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" by Shota Rustaveli. Very likely, it was an important official at the court of Queen Tamara. According to one version, he became a monk because of hopeless love for the queen, for another, more realistic - came to the monastery to personally lead his next restoration. It is believed that he is buried here, although there is no evidence of this.

In XIII - XIV centuries, the monastery flourished, the monks gathered here - the best Georgian scientists and poets. However, the XVI century the monastery fell into decay. At this time, stopped financing it from Georgia, had to sell part ownership (as they once were extensive), get into debt. Give them failed - with the creditors paid Greek Orthodox Church, which has since been owned by the monastery. She opened it to the public.

From a distance it looks like a fortress. He was built like a fortress, although it did not help: conquered the monastery several times, for some time there was even a mosque. Behind thick walls stands the bell tower of the XIX century in baroque style. Typically, visitors can explore the courtyard, the monks' cells, the ancient well, the former refectory with a long marble table, a lot of ancient objects of the monastic way of life, an impressive stone church with a vaulted dome. The mosaic floor of the church was from the very first, Byzantine monastery. They say that the stubborn dark spots in the mosaic - it traces of blood of the monks slaughtered in the VIII century, the Arab crowd. Special room marks the spot where, according to legend, grew the very Tree of the Cross (as stated in the Apocrypha, planted and grown Lot).

On one of the columns fresco depicts the Shota Rustaveli - is the only surviving portrait of the poet. In 2004 he was savagely damaged: the face and destroyed part of the inscriptions in the Georgian language. Officially, no one was charged, but such has happened here in the XX century, when the Georgian inscriptions on the frescoes erased and replaced by Greek.