The Virgin Mary church stands in Patara Gomareti, about a kilometre from the Saint George church of neighbouring Didi Gomareti. The prefixes patara and didi mean small and large and usually distinguish two villages sharing a name.
Gomareti is part of Dmanisi Municipality, the southern portion of Kvemo Kartli within the historical region of Borchaly. The municipality is mainly Azerbaijani in composition, yet Georgian villages with Orthodox parishes survive in the mountainous north. The landscape here is high and open, with pastures to the horizon.
Keep a restrained manner: for nearby villages this is a working place of prayer. The site remains part of the everyday life of the area, and that deserves respect.
Tips
- Come in the morning while the light is soft.
- Check the forecast, as rain makes the approach slippery.
- There is no need to touch candles or icons.
Getting there
- The last stretch runs along a dirt road that softens after rain.
- Plan the visit together with nearby stops, as there is no dedicated transport here.
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