Likani Church of the Virgin Mary: 7th Century Temple

Georgia's landmarks transport us back to centuries past. This is how the Likani Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, built in the 7th-9th centuries, tells its story. It is located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, near Borjomi, crowning one of Georgia's most beautiful spots—the Akhoebistskali Gorge.

The building is elongated, bordered by columns on both sides, and crowned by a rounded apse. The western wall of the church is capped by a bell tower, built in the 16th century. The first floor is cube-shaped, constructed of large uncut stones, giving the walls a massive appearance. This is the entrance to the church. The second floor has a barrier bordering it, which has a profile resembling a rampart.

A stone staircase leads upward. The bell tower is destroyed, but the hewn stone pillars that supported the roof convey its scale. Near the entrance to the bell tower is the inscription "Asomtavruli," indicating that the church was built by residents of the Borjomi Gorge, which belonged to the Avalishvili family.

The bell towers of the Church of the Holy Virgin and the Green Monastery are very similar. This suggests they were built at the same time, and both churches are worth seeing. During the Middle Ages, this church housed a monastery.

How to get there

The Likani Church of the Holy Virgin Mary is located on the outskirts of Borjomi, just 7 kilometers from the municipality itself. The road leads directly to the church, but after the intersection of Razmadze and Meskheti Streets, you'll have to walk 2 kilometers.

Photo source: georgiantravelguide.com