The Metekhi church originally dates from the thirteenth century, though it has been reconstructed many times since. It is one of the most prominent churches in the city standing on this cliff above the Mtkvari River. The smaller church by the river bank is dedicated to Saint Abo, patron saint of Tbilisi, who was martyred in the eighth century and his body thrown into the river at this spot. The equestrian statue is of Vakhtang Gorgasali, the fifth century king who tradition identifies as the founder of Tbilisi.
