The most beautiful mountains in Georgia. Visit the Mkinvartsveri (Kazbek), the Gergeti glacier and the Gergeti Sameba.
Mkinvartsveri is an extinct volcano, which is why this mountain attracts the attention of tourists. The top of the mountain is covered with glaciers. The Gergeti Glacier is the longest glacier in Georgia, its length is seven kilometers. It was here that the lowest temperature in Georgia was recorded. The Gergeti Sameba Temple is located on the top of the mountain, so it offers a beautiful view of the natural expanses.
MountainMkinvartsveri (Kazbek) is located in the north of Georgia, on the side slope of the Caucasian ridge, on the border with Russia. The height of the mountain is 5033 meters. Mkinvartsveri is the highest peak in eastern Georgia. The local population calls the mountain "The Bride of the gorge, the Tushin residents living next door "the Lion", and the Pshavs - "Gergeti". Russians call it "Kazbek", and Ossetians call it "Urshoh", which means "Snowy Mountain".
Mkinvartsveri is an extinct volcano, the eruption of which, according to some scientists, occurred for the last time 6 thousand years ago. Avalanche flows flow from three sides - from the south, east and northeast. The top is covered with glaciers, which, when melting, spill over quite large distances. According to literary sources, Mkinvartsveri was first conquered in 1799 by Joseph the Preacher (Pavlenishvili), who carved a cell in the rocks here and preached Christian doctrine for twenty years. It is known that in 1886, the famous English climber Douglas Freshfeld climbed to the top, and the scientific study of the Mkinvartsveri began in 1923 after the first Georgian expedition.
The Gergeti glacier descends to the southeastern slope of the Mkinvartsveri. Its length is 7.1 km. It is the longest in Georgia, and its width is 11 km2. The tongue of the glacier reaches 2900 meters above sea level. Not far from it is the Kazbegi high-altitude weather station, founded 70 years ago. The lowest temperature in Georgia was recorded here (-42º), due to the height of the terrain (3700 m. above sea level) and the Gergeti glacier.
With Gergeti one mythological and one historical monument (the Gergeti Sameba) are connected. Mythology is associated with the cave of Bethlehem (Bethlehem) and the Amirani chained to the Caucasus mountains. According to legend, God chained Amirani to the rock right here and "covered him with snow-glacial Gergeti and Kazbek."
Gergeti Sameba (Trinity Church) is located in Stepantsminda district on the right bank of the Chkhera River (left tributary of the Terek), at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. By its composition and harmonious fusion with the landscape, this temple is an outstanding example of Georgian church architecture. Located on the top of the mountain, it is visible from afar and looks very impressive from the Terek Valley.
Gergeti Trinity is the main chapel in the province of Khevi and the only domed church in the Georgian highlands. This temple was built by order of the Georgian king George V of Brtskinvale (brilliant - 1318-1346) during the time when he compiled the law "Code" ("Dzeglisdeba") for the mountaineers and contributed to the establishment of Christianity in the mountainous regions of Georgia after centuries of Mongol rule and complete ruin.
The architectural complex is surrounded by a fence and consists of the domed Sameba church (the 20s of the XIV century), a bell tower (the second half of the XIV century) and the traditional "sabcho" room for mountaineers (XV century), where elders gathered to solve the most important issues for mountain tribes. The temple is made of processed andesite square. The facades of the temple and the two-story bell tower, as well as the dome drum are decorated with carved ornaments. According to Vakhushti Bagrationi, during the wars, the treasures of the Mtskheta Patriarchate and the cross of St. Nino were kept here.
By decree of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilya II, the feast of the Gergeti Trinity was established, which is held annually on July 16. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 28) is also widely celebrated here.
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