Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Alkhalaki is a complex of buildings, which includes a fortress and observation towers.
War and religion in Georgia have gone hand in hand since ancient times. This is probably why the temple complex of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Alkhalaki has not only church buildings, but also a fortress with observation towers. Stone and brick were used as materials for construction. The buildings themselves were erected in the 16th century.
The sights of Georgia are diverse: these are picturesque landscapes, ancient architecture, centuries-old traditions imprinted on the walls of stone buildings. The complex of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an excellent example of the sights of this country.
Architecture
It is located in the east in Shida Kartli, occupies a central place in the village of Akhalkalaki. The architectural complex consists of the main - hall church, a fortress, several observation towers and a bell tower, and dates back to the XVI-XVIII centuries.
The church is made of stone and brick, has a rectangular shape, which is complemented by semicircular apse in the east. The apse is surrounded by arched arches and decorated with carved windows. Sunlight penetrates into the church hall from windows on the south, north and central facades of the building. The south facade is flanked by an arc-shaped arbor, and here is the entrance to the church.
In the north-west rises a stone two-story tower with bells, decorated with brickwork. The roof is pyramid-shaped, with its peak pointing to the sky. On the western facade there is ornamentation in the form of leaves. The lightness and elevation given by the arched facades of the building is also evident here. The first floor is a chapel. The bell tower harmonizes with the overall ensemble, stands nearby and is connected to the main hall of the church through a door on the north side. The arches frame the church, as if supporting it, the columns of the arches end with pilasters.
In the past there was a fence around the church in the form of a stone fortress, consisting of several watch towers. Next to the church there was a fortress, which protected the servants and parishioners. Nowadays only a few towers have survived, the best is the four-storey tower in the north-west: on the first floor there is a grain storehouse, if you go higher you will get a view of the battle structures. The tower is built of stone and has the form of a cylinder, the top of which is decorated with teeth.
The small settlement of Akhalkalaki concentrates traditional Georgia, with its amazing landscapes, stone buildings and good-natured people.
The buildings that make up the complex of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary are justifiably considered the most beautiful places in Georgia. Here one can find the traditional beauty and sunny atmosphere that thousands of people are looking for.
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Photo source: georgiantravelguide.com
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