This is a Georgian Orthodox monastery near Akhaltsikhe dates back to the 9th century, and has counted among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century, Sapara came into the possession of the Jakeli family, whose head, Sargis Jakeli, kept good relations with the Mongols, enabling Samtskhe to enjoy a peace unusual for the time. When he grew old, Sargis took monastic orders and changed his name to Saba. His son Beka built the largest of the 12 churches here, St Saba's Church, named after the saint whose name his father had adopted, one of the most architecturally important churches of its time. The 14th-century frescoes inside are of very high quality.

From the end of the 16th century until the beginning of the 17^th, the Sapara Monastery was abandoned due to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into Samtskhe. The monastery's icons and other treasures were taken to mountainous Georgia for protection.

Today you can explore the church on the grounds and the woods beyond.