St. George Church in Kaloubani: 12th Century Temple

The Church of St. George is located in the northern part of Mtskheta. The area is truly picturesque and worthy of special mention: the Mtkvari River flows to the left of the church complex, and the valley terrain transitions into a steep mountain ridge.

The church's foundation stone was laid in the 12th century, and the building's facades and interior walls were also painted at that time.

Unfortunately, unable to withstand the effects of time, some areas of the facade have fallen into disrepair. In 1975, local authorities undertook restoration work.

You can reach the Church of St. George by car. To do this, take the Mtskheta-Shiomghvime highway and turn north from Mtskheta. Be careful at the end of the road, as the road turns into gravel, and during the rainy season it can become so washed out that it can be quite difficult to navigate.

The Kaloubani Church is quite small, but it blends harmoniously into the natural landscape, which is very beautiful here. Mountain slopes, dense forests, and boundless skies—there's definitely something to see in Georgia.

Georgia's landmarks aren't always man-made. One unofficial landmark is a tree. Near the church, a tree grows practically without a base; it was damaged and split in two, but the foliage on its crown is just as dense. It fits seamlessly into the monastery's architectural ensemble, seemingly even becoming an indispensable part of it.

Architecture

The church is a small building, with the main hall occupying only 8 square meters. The building was constructed of stone quarried from the nearby mountains. To the west of the main hall stands a two-story building: the first is an arched entrance to the church itself. A bell tower stands on the northern side.

Access is limited to the western arched gate. Next to it is an extension—a semicircular apse with carved stone windows, also framed by arches on both sides. Sunlight also enters through a window on the south side. Inside stands the altar, separated from the iconostasis by a brick partition.

Paintings

The church walls were decorated with paintings in the 12th century. The frescoes depict scenes from Holy Scripture and festivals, and also include numerous hand-painted crosses. The central element of the fresco is the image of St. George on a white horse, flanked by figures of saints and the Mother of God. It's difficult to describe this masterpiece of ecclesiastical art in words, and it's understandable why many consider the Church of St. George one of the most beautiful places in Georgia. The painting is a monumental work, capturing an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence. Some scholars see elements of a decorative and dynamic style here, due to the varied scale of the figures in the composition. The color scheme is almost pastel, with soft pinks and blues combined with reddish-brown, creating a contrast that draws the viewer's eye to the fresco's central figures.

Photo: wikimedia.org

Read also

• Pitsunda: 10th-Century Temple and Besleti Bridge — History, Route
• Zemo Karabulakhi Church in Dmanisi: 10-11th Century Temple
• Antiokhia: the Ancient Church of St Stephen in Mtskheta, Location and History