In Javakheti, in the city of Ninontsminda, there is a Mother Monastery built in the 6th century.
The Mother Monastery in Ninotsminda is one of the oldest sights of Georgia. During an excursion to these places - the monastery is located in Kakheti, you will have the opportunity to see some more interesting ancient buildings - a bell tower of the 16th century
The Ninotsminda Mother Monastery is one of the places that breathes romance and antiquity. You review the photos and you want to go back.
Location: Kakheti region, Ninotsminda village, Sagarejo municipality. The sights of Georgia are scattered all over the country, but already on the territory of this monastery alone you can see at least 3 architectural monuments that could be called "the most beautiful places of Georgia" - at least some of them.
There is a 4-storey brick bell tower built in the 16th century, the 2-storey palace of Metropolitan Saba Tusishvili, who lived here in the period 1774-1777, has been preserved. And also the cathedral and the ruins of many buildings of various purposes are scattered throughout the territory.
The main and most ancient structure of the complex is the Cathedral of St. Nino, which was built in the 2nd half of the 6th century. According to legend, it was in this place that Saint Nino once rested. Looking at the remaining walls, we can say that the cathedral had a large dome. Apses adjoined the main space from four sides, usually semicircular projections that crown the semi-domes.
In one of these apses, in the central one, decorated with semi-columns, there was an altar. Apparently, the main part of the cathedral had round smooth outlines, only the central dome part with narrow slit windows had edges. According to the layout, the church may belong to the first temples of the cross type.
Considering that the cathedral was built in the 6th century, it is quite logical that the building had to be reconstructed more than once, namely in the 11th-12th and 16th centuries. In 1671, the restorer was Nikoloz Andronikashvili, and in the 18th century - Saba Tusishvili. The latter was the architect of the huge dome that crowned the central vault.
According to legend, Irakli II (King of Kakheti), seeing the temple after the restoration of Tusishvili, said that the decoration of the cathedral is excellent. Despite all the efforts, fate did not spare the work of art.
The earthquakes of 1824 and 1848 caused significant damage to the architecture. And, perhaps, the reason was, among other things, the heaviness of the dome, which pulled the entire structure behind it. At the moment, only one wall has been preserved from the cathedral.
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In the northeast of the complex there is a brick 4-storey bell tower, which is perhaps the best preserved. It was built in the 16th-17th centuries and is still one of the largest in Georgia. The first 3 floors are occupied by vaulted rooms, each of which has lancet windows, a fireplace and decorative niches.
The fourth floor is occupied by a faceted gazebo, which offers stunning views, especially at sunset. A wooden building of 2 floors was attached to the bell tower at one time. It was the residence of Bishop Ninotsminda, the so-called bishop's palace, the architect of which was already known to us Saba Tusishvili.
The territory of the complex is surrounded by a stone wall, which is crowned with battlements. And in one of the corners there is a round tower. Apparently, if necessary, the monastery could be used to repel an attack. Probably because of its beauty, as well as its defensive function, the local diocese received constant support from the authorities.
The kings of Kakheti Levan, Alexander and David I, Kings Rostom and Archil of Kartli also treated the monastery favorably, and Irakli II and Teimuraz II provided active assistance. Perhaps that is why the monastery had an excellent library. This is confirmed by the manuscripts that have survived to the present day.
Ninotsminda Monastery was the place of work of famous writers and poets. Bishop Equitim Mtatsmindeli and his assistant Arsen Ninotsminda, Mitrofan Ninotsmindeli, John Ninotsminde, Saba Tusishvili and Anton II wrote here in the 10th and 11th centuries in the 18th century. And this is not a complete list.
At the end of the 20th century, the complex received a blessing from the Patriarch of All Georgia for the restoration and return of monastic life. The renovation has been completed and a convent is currently operating here. And since 2003, the department of the diocese and the bishop's residence have been returned here.
So, if you are still thinking about what to see in Georgia, come here.
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Материнский Монастырь так и веет средневековьем, святой красотой.