6 churches of Shida Kartli: monasteries in Georgia worth visiting

Georgia offers excellent conditions for starting and running a profitable business, which attracts foreign residents from all over the world. If you're lucky enough to settle here permanently, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the low cost of living, delicious and healthy food, and simply incredibly attractive nature.

Guides advise all tourists to begin exploring this country with its churches, as they have preserved the entire ancient history of this remarkable country. Shida Kartli is a region home to some of the most beautiful monasteries. Situated in the center of the country, it has a population of approximately 260,000.

Shida Kartli has a favorable climate, with an average annual temperature of 11 degrees Celsius. Remarkably, summer temperatures can reach as high as 42 degrees Celsius. The region is steeped in history and is also home to landmarks, which you'll now learn about.

Kvatakhevi Monastery

The Kavtiskhevi complex was built in the 5th century AD in the Kavturye Gorge, near the village of the same name. Surrounded by mountains and protected on three sides, the monastery retains its almost pristine appearance.

For the first 500 years after its construction, there was little activity here; it was only during the reign of King David IV that the temple began to gain national significance. At that time, this region was Georgia's main literary center, where chronicles and manuscripts were copied, which are still preserved in various museums around the world.

Its subsequent fate was not so rosy—wars and destruction plagued the area. One day, enemies burned the church along with its captive parishioners. This event established the tradition, which continues to this day, of removing shoes upon entering.

Over the following centuries, the monastery was alternately restored and then closed again. The difficult fate has left its mark on the energy of this place, so it is especially felt even now.

Ertatsminda Cathedral

A fairly large cathedral from the early eighteenth century, this cathedral will captivate every tourist with its extensive and beautiful wood carvings. An important and pleasing aspect is that this cathedral remains in excellent condition today.

Descendants of the famous Georgian Saakadze family are also buried here.

Historically, this area, like the rest of the country, has been the scene of armed conflicts and devastation. The Persians and Mongols attacked, burned, and destroyed everything around them. However, each time, the Ertatsminda Cathedral miraculously remained intact. This is why it can delight us with its pristine appearance today.

You can get here from the village of the same name (minibuses and taxis regularly serve it) along a smooth, paved road. The cathedral is visible from anywhere in the village, so you definitely won't miss it.

Chachubeti Monastery

The Church of the Mother of God is located in the village of Chachubeti. It is older than the two previous churches. This monastery was built of exquisitely crafted stone in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. At one time, the facades of this building were covered with extraordinarily beautiful and colorful paintings, which, unfortunately, have not survived to this day.

Only a small portion of the mkhedruli and some reliefs remain.

The church has three entrances, each on a different side. Each differs in architecture and construction. To the north are two annexes made of hewn stone, while to the south is a three-piece annex with two single-pitched sides. The eastern entrance is semicircular.

Magalaant Monastery

This structure belongs to two noble kings from the Magalaant clan. The monastery is located two and a half kilometers from the village of Tsinarehi in Kaspi. The last renovations to this structure were carried out between 1937 and 1941. The exterior of the church, located on the monastery grounds, offers every visitor a multitude of unforgettable emotions.

There are several buildings here, each erected at a different time and with its own distinct architecture. The central Magalaant Church is considered the oldest, built in the 12th century using hewn blocks. Turquoise stone, frescoes, and various ornaments were used for decoration.

The bell tower was built much later, in the 18th century, and features many round elements in its design. A round stone in the wall, round openings, and even a table within the same shape. Here you can also explore the tomb, pharmacy, fence and ruins of other buildings that have not survived in their entirety to this day.

Saint George Monastery

Saint George Monastery is a unique architectural monument from the first half of the eleventh century, located near the Shabtskalas River. This building attracts attention with its beautifully carved decorations, as well as remarkable and indescribable frescoes from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The last renovations to this monastery were carried out in the late twentieth century.

The church is named after the village of Ikvi; although it no longer exists, it remains in memory thanks to the monastery. The structure is constructed of stone blocks with slits for windows. The frescoes are characterized by Byzantine motifs, but also feature a variety of other complex designs. In this century, many of the paintings were damaged by heavy rains and, as a result, were conserved about 10 years ago.

Rkoni Monastery Complex

This complex is currently inactive. It was built between the seventh and eighteenth centuries. You can visit it in the upper part of Tedzma. This structure is considered by locals to be the oldest in the country.

Its construction began in the seventh century, and it has since undergone numerous renovations and repairs.

Also near Rkoni is the Queen Tamar Stone Bridge, a popular tourist attraction, which has remained in excellent condition since the seventeenth century.

It's no wonder the complex is a tourist destination for the region. The country boasts a large number of historical sites, fascinating both for their architecture and history.

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