What can I visit in Georgia? Cultural heritage in the cities of Georgia. Rkoni Monastery in the city of Kvatakhevi.
Georgian ancient churches in the mountains always fascinate and surprise tourists. Blog "MadLoba" will tell you about the monastery Kvatakhevi: location, history, architecture, attractions, will give tips for tourists and tell real reviews. Here you will find beautiful photos,
Everyone has in their dreams the idea of visiting extraordinarily beautiful and special places. Sightseeing in Georgia is exactly what you need in such a situation.
One of the enchanting places in Georgia is the Kvatakhevi Monastery.
Location
The monastery is located in Shida Kartli County, near Kaspi. It is only five kilometers from the village of Tsinarehi. An unpaved road and an automobile road lead to it.
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History
This is a real monument, built in the XII-XIII centuries. It has long been considered the most important temple of Kartli, and important historical figures of Georgia patronized it.
In 1386 the monastery was plundered. Tamerlane's invasion frightened the priests, and they took refuge in the temple, after which they were set on fire by the inhabitants themselves, locking them up there. The arson was committed because the townspeople doubted their Christian faith.
The monastery of Cartagena was rebuilt by Alexander the Great in the fifteenth century.
A little later, in 1735-1740, the monastery was closed, but in a cave near it the shrine was hidden. In the XVIII century, the work of the church was resumed, and the treasure, hidden for a long time, was returned to its rightful place. According to an old legend, a piece of Our Lady's robes was placed in it when the foundation was laid.
Also part of the largest sanctuary of the church is the Holy Part of John the Baptist.
Kvatakhevi was one of the starting points for the origins of ancient Georgian books, many of which have survived to the present day.
Architecture
The building complex of the monastery includes several different buildings: the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, fence, tower, refectory, bell tower and living quarters. The church is cross-domed and reminds Bethany church by its architecture. The facade is faced with embossed blocks. Inside, due to the peculiarities of the structure, crosses and domes are formed. The north and south wings are shorter than the west and east wings, and are also vaulted. Smooth transitions at the base of the dome are represented by sails.
Due to a fire, the painting of the temple was lost, but now the walls are plastered. The facades and the dome are luxuriously decorated, and there is an ornament on the dome. Also, the building has two entrances, one from the south and one from the west.
The Church of the Blessed Virgin is an example of the final development of the characteristic cultural construction of Georgian temples. The monastery enclosures have varying heights, the reason for which is the complex, uneven terrain.
The refectory, made of stone, is to the northwest of the site, and it still has huge fireplaces. On the west side are the living quarters, which were added later, and are also connected by a common corridor. There is also a tower of large and massive stone built into the wall around the temple, and its rooms were completely designed for human habitation.
The tower has undergone multiple alterations. The bell tower was erected later than others, in 1872. The plan was for it to be pentagonal, with a stone, cone roof and a two-step plinth. It was open on all sides and had rounded arches.
You can visit the monastery Kvatahevi by yourself or as part of a tour group. Excursions, as a rule, leave from Tbilisi. Most often Kvatakhevi monastery is visited by pilgrims. Here are kept a miraculous icon and the relics of John the Baptist, it is believed that they help women get rid of infertility.
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