The church dedicated to Saint George stands in Ganakhleba, about seven hundred metres from the second church of the village, whose dedication cannot be read. The name of the village translates as renewal.
Ganakhleba belongs to the mountainous part of Dmanisi Municipality, where Georgian villages with Orthodox parishes survive among mainly Azerbaijani ones. The plateau here is high and open, with pastures and scattered copses. The roads run along the ridges and freeze over in winter.
Enter quietly if the door is open, and do not disturb those at prayer. The site remains part of the everyday life of the area, and that deserves respect.
Tips
- Combine the visit with neighbouring villages to save time.
- Bring a torch if it is dark inside.
- There is no need to touch candles or icons.
Getting there
- Ask locals for directions, since the short way is not always obvious.
- The last stretch runs along a dirt road that softens after rain.
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