Khino monastery complex

The monastery complex of Khino is named after John the Baptist and is located in the Kintrishi river valley, 60 km from Batumi. It is almost 11 centuries old, but today, only a few temple walls remained from it. Judging by the architectural style, it must’ve been built in the 9th-10th centuries.

In the 9th century, after the abolition of the episcopal center of Petra, subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the episcopal center moved to Khinotsminda, and conducted the religious life of Western Georgia.

Despite the great importance of the monastery complex, almost no historical sources preserved its mentions. Information is only found in the works of the prominent 18th-century Georgian geographer and historian, Vakhushti Batonishvili, and the records of several bishops. According to their records, even during Ottoman rule, people did not leave the temple.

The episcopal chair of Khinotsminda ceased to exist in the second half of the 18th century due to the Ottoman invasion. After that, the territory was looked after by a local elderly named Tsetskhladze.

The Khino monastery complex is also surrounded by the nature of the green valley of Kintrishi – the river, mountains, and blue sky.