Georgia is a country worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. Culture, cuisine of the state fascinate with its magnificence. But most of all, the sights surprise and amaze. One of them is the Gergeti Church, located in the northern part of Georgia. The exact location of the temple is at the foot of Mount Kazbek. The Gergeti church is called because it was built in the village of Gergeti, on the right bank of the Chkheri River. This is an amazing building from which acquaintance with the architecture and cultural heritage of Georgia begins.
From the history of the temple
Gergeti Church, the full name of which is the Gergeti Church of the Holy Trinity, or the Cross-domed Church of Gergetis Tsminda Sameba, was built in the XIV century. The location of the cult building was the historical district of Khevi. Separate from this cathedral is a bell tower, which also belongs to this period.
Gergeti Church was mentioned for the first time in the 18th century, namely in 1795. At a time when Georgia suffered from the invasions of the Persians, led by Agha Mohammed Khan, and the city of Tbilisi was almostwas completely destroyed, many relics were hidden in the Church of the Holy Trinity, among which was the cross of St. Nina.
Trinity Church during the existence of the Soviet Union was inactive. In 1988, a cable car was built from the village of Kazbegi to the cathedral. But soon it was dismantled due to the demands of the local population. Today the church has been restored and is in charge of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is also a functioning male monastery.
A little about the bas-reliefs of the temple
Gergeti Church, like most religious buildings, is rich in various bas-reliefs, which will certainly arouse interest and delight not only among ordinary tourists, but also among specialists in religious symbols. Among the bas-reliefs, there are also kukbi and various other ornaments.
One of the bas-reliefs located on the bell tower is of particular interest. On the western side of the structure, some terrible creatures are recreated, somewhat reminiscent of chameleons. These are images of vishaps. They were once deities, but with the advent of Christianity, they all turned into dragons, which were considered a symbol of pagan beliefs. Above, on the right side of these monsters, a cross is depicted, which symbolizes the victory of Christianity over paganism.
Internal austerity of the cathedral
Gergeti Church (Georgia) from the outside is a unique building. But inside it is a poor, even ascetic building, the walls of which are devoid of decoration, frescoes and even plaster. In the cathedral, due to its location, there are noelectric lighting. Through the small windows, very little light enters the building, and therefore twilight reigns forever there. Combined with the ascetic design, it adds a touch of mysticism to the temple.
Outside, against the backdrop of mountains, the church is indescribable.
Interesting information about the temple
The 1906 guidebook contains information that a silver ram, one of the pagan idols, is kept in the cathedral. There is even an opinion that the relic is carefully hidden by representatives of the clergy, who wrapped it in an epitrachelion. This information is more than a hundred years old, and today it is not confirmed by anything. But scientists say that even if the relic existed, it was taken away from here during communist times.
Trinity Church is mentioned in the work of Alexander Pushkin "Monastery on Kazbek".
Tourists will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to take a good photo of the attraction. Inside, taking pictures with a camera or camcorder is generally prohibited. It is impossible to photograph the temple from below, and there is not enough space near the building for it to get into the frame entirely. The only way to get a truly perfect shot is from the top of a neighboring mountain, which few travelers dare to climb.
Among climbers who are trying to get to Mount Kazbek, there is a tradition: for the first night they must stop near the church. This helps to get used to the height and prepare for the next ascent.
Howget there
If the Gergeti Church at the foot of Mount Kazbek (Georgia) and its visit are scheduled on the way of your tourist route, then you need to prepare for a tiring journey. After all, getting to the monastery is equally difficult both by car and on foot.
If you decide to go by car, then you should do it with a powerful SUV, since there is no paved road to the structure. Well, on foot the road is as follows: first you have to overcome the village of Gergeti, then cross a small forest serpentine, and then you will climb uphill along a path lying at a high angle.
In dry weather, the path can be cut using the forest path leading straight up. This path is behind the village cemetery. In total, the entire trip will take about two hours.
Also, a minibus can deliver to the designated place, though not to the building itself (you still have to walk some distance), or a taxi.
