These are ruins, and that must be said at once: the church of Saint Marine near Melaani is not in use, no services are held here, and only remains of the building survive. Coming here makes sense for the place and the view rather than for visiting a church in the ordinary sense.
Saint Marine, known in the western tradition as Margaret of Antioch, is widely venerated in Georgia: churches bearing her name stand across Kakheti, including an active one in Babaneuri to the north and a complex in Matani. Melaani itself lies south of Gurjaani in the foothills; the village holds a Trinity church and a chapel of Saint George.
There is no fence around the ruins and they can be approached freely at any time, but the last stretch is unpaved and turns soft in rain. Treat the remaining walls with care: the structure is fragile.
๐ In brief
- Disused ruins: no services and no reception of visitors here
- The surroundings of Melaani south of Gurjaani, approached by an unpaved road
- An active church of Saint Marine stands in Babaneuri to the north
๐ Getting there
- Landmark - the surroundings of Melaani south of Gurjaani; the last stretch is unpaved
- The Build Route button will show the exact way
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