Monastery and Church of St. Barbara "Barbarekar" in the village of Najavakho
- Description
The monastery and church of St. Barbara "Barbarekar" in the village of Najavakho, located in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region, are important historical and cultural sites. The church was found as a result of archaeological excavations and dates back to the 10th century. It belongs to the Kupelhalle type and has a slightly elongated single-nave rectangular plan measuring 8.3 by 11.8 meters. The eastern part of the building ends with an apsidal pediment.
The uniqueness of the church lies in its architectural features. The longitudinal walls of the building are not the same length, which creates an interesting asymmetrical effect. The interior space is illuminated by two pairs of arched windows, located so that the hall is divided into two parts: western and domed. There is no eastern part in front of the altar, which is not typical for temples of this type. The semicircular apse is unusually wide and almost occupies the entire width of the nave.
The Najahavo Church is under the control of the Chkondidi diocese. This place attracts both pilgrims and tourists interested in studying medieval Georgian architecture and history. A visit to the monastery and church of St. Barbara offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the past and appreciate the skill of ancient architects.