The church of St. George here is called doorless. In the Georgian tradition that describes a building entered through an open doorway, with no leaves hung: it can be approached at any hour and is never found locked.
Artana lies in the foothills of the Alazani valley, three kilometres from Napareuli. The village holds several shrines standing close together: the Artana Mother of God about eight hundred metres away, the sakdari of St. Nino a kilometre, a church of the Virgin a little further, and the cemetery church two and a half kilometres off.
An open doorway means open weather too: it can be damp and cold inside, and in winter warmer clothes are worth taking. Candles are left where they stand and moving them is not the custom. Dress modestly and keep voices low.
๐ Facts
- A doorless church entered through an open doorway
- Artana village in the foothills of the Alazani valley
- Four village shrines stand within three kilometres
๐ Getting there
- Landmark: Artana village, Telavi municipality; about three kilometres to Napareuli
- For navigation tap Build Route
โ๏ธ Have you visited this place? Share your impressions on Madloba: your reviews help other travellers.
