Gelati Monastery: Five Churches, Frescoes and Gelati Academy

This world-famous monastery complex is located in Georgia's Imereti region, in the valley of the local Tskaltsiteli River.

How to get to this Georgian landmark?

Getting to this architectural and religious monument in Gelati is easy. First, head toward Kutaisi to reach one of Georgia's main cities. There are several transportation options: bus, minibus, or even train. There is also a transit route that passes through Didube and from the Tbilisi central bus station.

Once you've chosen a suitable mode of transportation and reached the city, you'll need to book a taxi for the 10-kilometer journey from the city to the monastery.

The most beautiful monastery with a troubled history

Approximately between 1089 and 1125, the great Georgian king David IV founded Gelati Monastery. This religious and cultural monument is unique in that it spans a vast period of the state's history. Historians claim that this monastery served as a great burial place for all Georgian kings several centuries ago. There is evidence to suggest that George II, George III, Alexander V, and Solomon I were buried here.

It is also worth noting that this is an unusual monastery. It is safe to say that translation work and the teaching of various sciences took place here several hundred years ago. This temple is a kind of former medieval educational institution. Gelati is known to have been a special figure in the 12th and 13th centuries. He was considered a high-ranking figure at the palace, practically a Catholicos. In the 20th century, specifically in 1995, life at the Gelati Academy was revived, and some time later, a new scientific academy was founded there. This monastic complex is of great cultural value and significance to every resident of Georgia. It features many historical treasures: the Gelati mosaics, 12th-century frescoes, and a portrait of David Narina.

Gelati Monastery is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Undoubtedly, one of the most captivating monasteries is the Gelati Cathedral. This Georgian landmark amazes with its scale and elegance, and is treasured by the entire nation. Several years ago, this cultural monument was added to the list of endangered monuments. Georgia's most beautiful landmarks are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and their memory will remain with our ancestors.