Natlismtsemeli Monastery is one of the main attractions of Georgia, part of the David Gareji cave complex. Its second name is the monastery of John the Baptist.
The cave monastery of John the Baptist is part of the Gareja complex of cave monasteries. Its other name is the Natlismtsemeli Monastery. On the walls of the structure carved in the rock, there are fragments of ancient paintings.
Did you know that the most beautiful places in Georgia can also be the most unusual? Male tourists no longer need to puzzle over what to see in Georgia.
Natlismtsemeli (John the Baptist) Monastery in Gareji is a male monastery in honor of John the Baptist, which is part of the David Gareji monastic complex, it is located 12 km west of St. David's Lavra. The monastery is part of an undivided complex carved into the rock. It was built by a follower of St. David Lukian in the 16-17 centuries at the behest of his spiritual mentor.
The monastery is carved into a compact hillock of compacted sands. Of all the structures, it makes sense to single out the unusually tall and capacious main church. To the north there is a small space that unites the central hall with two arches. An iconostasis from the second half of the 18th century can be seen in front of the altar. To the south of the main church is another small church, which can be reached by climbing a ladder carved into the rock. The gate to the main church has a tower and a bell tower.
Throughout its history, the church has been subjected to repeated raids and looting. Fortunately, in spite of these circumstances, there are still fragments of the frescoes that originally decorated the walls of the temple from the 12th century.
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We draw your attention to the fact that the monastery of Natlismtsemeli (John the Baptist) is still a functioning monastery for men. When visiting the shrine, you should strictly follow the established rules of conduct. On the whole territory of the site is forbidden:
- Noisy behavior.
- Taking pictures.
- Wearing offensive clothes.
- Visiting the monastic cells.
- Smoking outside and indoors.
The cave monastery is one of the important attractions of Georgia, but it is quite difficult to get here without help. We strongly recommend that you seek help from local guides, who will organize a cultural program for you, make the best route of the trip and provide any support, including information.
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