About Sights – Davit Gareja

Founded in the 6th century by St. David Garejeli, Davit Gareja (Georgian: დავითგარეჯის სამონასტრო კომპლექსი) is a Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located on the slopes of Mount Gareja in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock. Part of the … Continue reading

About Sights – Martvili Monastery

Martvili Monastery (Georgian: მარტვილის მონასტერი) is a monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The hill on which it stands was a former pagan site associated with fertility and prosperity. The Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral was constructed in the late 7th century on top of the roots of an enormous oak tree … Continue reading

About Sights – Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral

The Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition (Georgian: სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი) in Tbilisi was originally built in the 6th and 7th centuries but was subsequently destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times. The current church is based on a 13th-century version. Named after Mount Zion at Jerusalem, it is commonly known as the “Tbilisi … Continue reading

About Sights – Tsalenjikha Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Savior

Built in the 12th-14th centuries, the Tsalenjikha Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Savior (Georgian: წალენჯიხის მაცხოვრის ფერისცვალების საკათედრო ტაძარი) is located in the town of Tsalenjikha (Georgian: წალენჯიხა) in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. The cathedral is a central cross-domed church with a narthex (an entrance or lobby area typical of early Christian and Byzantine churches) … Continue reading

About Sights – Church of the Virgin Mary in Birkiani

The Georgian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in the village of Birkiani in Akhmeta municipality in Georgia’s Kakheti region was built in the 8th-9th century but has decayed over time and little remains of the original stone construction. Trees have grown on top of the church making it look like it was purposely built in … Continue reading

About Achievements – Restoration of Kvetera Church

Kvetera Church (Georgian: კვეტერის ეკლესია) is located on the top of a hill within the remaining fragments of the walls of Kvetera Fortress near the town of Akhmeta, in Kakheti region. Built in the early part of the 10th century, it is a relatively small church built of local tuffa stone to a tetraconch design (four-apse cross … Continue reading

About Sights – Dzveli Shuamta Monastery

Dzveli (“old”) Shuamta Monastery is located in a small clearing in the middle of a deciduous forest on Tsivgombori Mountain near the city of Telavi in Kakheti region. The Monastery got its name because of its location – “Shuamta’’ means ‘among the mountains’. Prior to their recent restoration, the churches were in a state of neglect. … Continue reading

About Sights – Alaverdi Cathedral

Alaverdi Monastery (Georgian: ალავერდის მონასტერი) is a Georgian Orthodox monastery located near Telavi in the Alazani-River valley in Kakheti region. Founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph Alaverdeli, the monastery dates to the 6th century but the present day cathedral replaces a smaller church and was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti. … Continue reading