A small chapel stands in Kardenakhi. A chapel, samlotsvelo in Georgian, differs from a church in size and purpose: it is a small prayer building without a permanent parish, entered for private prayer rather than for a service. To whom it is dedicated cannot be said: no name of a saint or feast has survived with it.
Kardenakhi is one of the large wine-making villages of north-eastern Kakheti, set among the vineyards of the Alazani valley. Besides the chapel it holds two churches: the basilica of Saint Sabbas, known as Sabatsminda, in the western part, and a church of the Virgin to the east. All three fit within a couple of kilometres, so the village is easily covered as a whole.
The yard is open during the day, from morning to evening, but small buildings like this are rarely entered: they are not meant for regular services. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, keep quiet, and treat the structure with care.
📌 In brief
- A small prayer building, samlotsvelo in Georgian, without a permanent parish
- Kardenakhi north-east of Gurjaani, among the vineyards of the Alazani valley
- The same village holds the Sabatsminda basilica and a church of the Virgin
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Kardenakhi north-east of Gurjaani, the chapel in its eastern part
- A route is built with the Build Route button
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