The church is dedicated to the Virgin and stands in the village itself, while up the slope rises the house of Chelishi. Such an arrangement is usual in Racha: the parish below where people live, the monastery above where they withdraw.
Khonchiori lies six kilometres from Nikortsminda and ten from Ambrolauri. The Chelishi monastery stands about three and a half kilometres higher up the slope, the church of Kedisubani two and a half, the unnamed church of Kvashkhieti four. The valley here is green and damp, the slopes wooded.
The parish is a village one, services are not held every day, and it is easier to get inside while ordinary life is going on around. Dress modestly, keep quiet inside. The climb to the monastery takes longer than the distance suggests: the path runs uphill through the woods and is slippery in the rain.
⛪ On site
- A church of the Virgin in the village
- Khonchiori six kilometres from Nikortsminda
- The Chelishi monastery stands higher up the slope
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark: Khonchiori village, Ambrolauri municipality; about six kilometres to Nikortsminda
- The Build Route button will take you to the spot
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