The basilica of John the Baptist stands in Kvemo Alvani, a village with a particular role: the Tush come down here for the winter, when the road over the Abano pass closes and living in the mountains becomes impossible.
Alvani is effectively the lowland half of Tusheti, its winter address, and parish life here runs all year round, unlike in the high-mountain villages such as Shenako and Dartlo, where no one remains in winter. The building type is a basilica, an elongated hall without a dome and one of the early forms of Georgian architecture. The village lies north-east of Akhmeta, right at the entrance to the mountains.
The church keeps no fixed schedule; service times are learned on site. The place is busy by local standards: not only village residents come here. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women.
๐ Of interest
- A parish basilica of John the Baptist, an early domeless church type
- Kvemo Alvani north-east of Akhmeta, at the entrance to the mountains
- The winter village of the Tush: parish life runs all year unlike in the mountain villages
๐ Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Kvemo Alvani north-east of Akhmeta, at the entrance to the mountains
- For navigation tap Build Route
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