Archaeologists date the first basilica to the end of the 4th century, and scholars name an Iberian prince, Bakur, as founder. Tradition links the site to Constantine the Great and King Mirian III of Kartli. The 11th-century monastery was built under King Bagrat IV by the Georgian monk Prochorus the Iberian. The article names no architect or style, other than Crusader-period remains.
It is a fortified monastery with a church and living quarters. A fragment of a 4th-century mosaic survives, and the church holds ancient murals. The Georgians sold it to Patriarch Dositheos II in 1685 because of debt.
Greek Orthodox monks now occupy it, and the library holds many Georgian manuscripts. It has a museum and a gift shop. The article gives no heritage status or hours.
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