Gelati monastery description and photos - Georgia: Kutaisi (Topic)

Gelati monastery description and photos - Georgia: Kutaisi. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

Gelati Monastery in Kutaisi is one of the main architectural landmarks of the city, which is a symbol of the Georgian Golden Age. The temple rises on a hill above the valley of the Tskal-Tsitela river. Tsar David Agmashenebeli founded and built a monastery near his residence in 1106. This is one of the few architectural ensembles in Georgia that has retained its originality along with information about its founder and builders.

In the XIV Art. The Gelati monastery was almost completely destroyed by the Mongols, but in the 15th century. it was rebuilt by the Georgian king George VI. Throughout the XVII century. the monastery has lost its former significance. In the XVIII century. King of Imereti Solomon I began to restore the temple complex.

From the moment of its foundation, the monastery also served as a necropolis for the Georgian kings. For quite a long time the monastery was a cultural and educational center, had its own academy. A huge number of scientists-theologians, philosophers, translators and orators, who had previously worked in various monasteries abroad, worked here. Among the staff of the academy were such famous scientists as I. Petritsi and A. Ikaltoeli. Contemporaries called the Gelati Academy "new Hellas" or "the second Athos." and the building of the Academy.

The Gelati Monastery has preserved many wall paintings dating from the XII-XVIII centuries. Most of all, the attention of visitors is attracted by the preserved frescoes and mosaics, which remind of the creators of the temple complex. Here in the monastery you can see the iron gates of the city of Ganja, delivered here in 1139 by King Demeter.

The enchanting beauty of the monastery attracts a large number of guests. In 1994 the monastery was included in the list of UNESCO world monuments.

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Topic: Gelati monastery description and photos - Georgia: Kutaisi.