In 1265, the Martqopi monastery became the seat of the bishop of Rustavi after that city was destroyed in an invasion by Berke, ruler of the Mongol Golden Horde. The monastery was looted during the Georgian campaigns of the Turco-Mongol emir Timur in 1395. In the late 17th century, it was substantially renovated. The monastery was fortified—"like a fortress" as reported by the 18th-century Georgian scholar Prince Vakhushti. Its wall had a total length of 1,400 m and was equipped with firing ports.