Metekhi Temple, witness the long history of the Georgian capital, is located on a small hill on the banks of the Kura River. Originally this place was a palace of the kings of the local built the founder of the city - Vakhtang Gorgasali. Near the palace around the XII century. It was built church of St. Mary. All the buildings are surrounded by powerful fortifications.

During the Mongol invasion in 1235 the palace and the temple were destroyed. In 1278-1289 gg. the monastery was restored. During the XV century. it was again destroyed, but the Persians. Each Georgian king felt obliged to restore the temple, making this ancient building is preserved until today. Modern building Metekhi temple dates from the late XIII century. This brick dome was installed much later, around the XVIII century.

Near the church in the XVII century. It was built a defensive fortress, which was later turned into a prison. Metekhi Temple itself suffered abuse, after he had in the XIX century. It was turned into a Cossack regiment barracks. During the improvement of the city in 1959 completely destroyed the Metekhi Castle. In 1987 it was carried out major restoration of the church. Since 1988, Metekhi temple again became active temple of the Georgian Church.

On the eastern side of the monastery can be seen carved inscription which reads: "King Irakli force took the fortress of the enemy ...". Under the arches of the queen buried Metechi Shushanik Ranskiy - first Georgian martyr, killed in the V century. her husband, a fire-worshiper. In the church is the icon of Saint Shushanik.

Before entering the Metekhi temple stands a bronze equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali, became one of the symbols of Tbilisi.