The church of the Virgin Mary stands in Rekha village in Tsalka Municipality, on the site of an older church rebuilt in the 19th century. Remains of the earlier building are clearly visible by the south wall, so both layers can be read from outside.
The hall like building is laid of worked stone, the plan is rectangular with a semicircular apse on the east, and an altar stone stands in the apse. The entrance is on the south and dressed with an architrave, windows are cut in the east and west facades, and in the twentieth century the roof was covered with sheet metal.
One loss here is recorded precisely. According to the notes of Ekvtime Takaishvili, the church held a stone showing the Virgin with the Child and an Asomtavruli inscription at its side. That stone is gone. Old gravestones do survive in the yard, though, along with a large basalt slab bearing the image of a fantastical creature.
💡 Tip
- The stone with the Virgin and an Asomtavruli inscription is lost
- A basalt slab with a fantastical creature in the yard
- Remains of the earlier church are visible by the south wall
🚗 Getting there
- Rekha village, Tsalka Municipality, Kvemo Kartli
- The Build Route button will take you to the spot
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