The church of Saint George stands in Bakurtsikhe, a large village on the road between Gurjaani and Tsnori. The name parses as the fortress of Bakur: tsikhe means fortress, and Bakur is a male name common among early medieval rulers of Kartli, so the toponym refers to a stronghold that no longer stands.
Such names in Georgia often outlive the buildings themselves: the fortress disappears while the memory of it stays in the name of the village. Bakurtsikhe holds another church, of Saint Barbara, about a kilometre and a half to the east. To the south, away from the highway, lies Kolagi with two more church sites.
The church keeps no fixed schedule; service times are learned on site. It stands away from the main street, so you will have to look for it among the yards. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women.
๐ In brief
- A parish church dedicated to Saint George
- Bakurtsikhe on the road between Gurjaani and Tsnori
- Bakurtsikhe reads as the fortress of Bakur; the stronghold has not survived
๐ Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Bakurtsikhe between Gurjaani and Tsnori, away from the main street
- A route is built with the Build Route button
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