 Gelati monastery complex | ||
| გელათი - Gelati | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Imereti | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 860 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 400 | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Gelati is a village about 15 km northeast of Kutaisi in the region Imereti. The village is famous for the Gelati monastery complex and academy (11th century), which is one of the most important church buildings in Georgia, an important religious center and one of the most important sights in the country. The monastery and academy were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. That too Mozameta Monastery In the neighboring town of the same name is an important sight of the region, which is usually visited in a joint excursion with Gelati.
background
The Gelati monastery was founded in the 11th century, the name derives from the Greek word for birth (Genati), accordingly the Archbishop of Gelati "Genateli" (The one from Genati) called. The academy, which is located on the monastery grounds, was founded by King David the Builder (Dawit Aghmaschenebeli) in 1106. The model was the Academy of Constantinople. In the Middle Ages, both secular and spiritual knowledge of Georgia was collected and taught here. Gelati has an important collection of manuscripts from the 12th to 17th centuries.
Gelati is the burial place of numerous Georgian kings, including David the Builder, Queen Rusudan and King Bagrat.
Gelati was founded in 2006, along with the ruins of the Bagrati Cathedral (in the urban area of Kutaisi Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This world heritage site has been on the list of endangered world heritage sites ("Red List") since 2010, and improper renovation and conservation measures were cited as a reason. Unesco's rebuke mainly related to the rebuilding of Bagrati Cathedral, which had previously been an imposing ruin for several centuries (it was completed in 2012), but there was also criticism of the renovation of Gelati. It is currently being considered whether to share the joint World Heritage Site of Gelati and Bagrati and to revoke the title of World Heritage to Bagrati.
getting there
The villages of Gelati and Mozameta are on the regional road 
Kutaisi-Tkibuli. Short access roads that are well signposted lead to the monastery complex.
Directions from Kutaisi:
- Taxi - A trip to Gelati and Mozameta costs around 50-60 Lari, including waiting time
- Minibus (Marschrutka) - Take a bus from Kutaisi to Tkibuli and get off at the access roads, continue on foot. Wave a passing marshrutka on the way back. Fare: a few lari.
- Car: Gelati is signposted from the center of Kutaisi, but the signs are often small and only labeled in Georgian. There is sufficient parking space at both monastery complexes (for a fee).
- Most of the accommodations organize themselves or arrange day tours to Gelati and / or Mozameta, there are also a few dozen tour operators in the city that do the same. You can also inquire at the tourist information center in the city center.
- On foot: Hiking route from the eastern outskirts of Kutaisi along the Zkalziteli River (approx. 9 km): See chapter Activities.
mobility
Dynamic cards- Hiking trail between Gelati and Mozameta (approx. 3 km)
- Taxis wait for customers in the parking lots in front of the monastery complex.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Gelati Monastery and Academy
- 2 Mozameta Monastery
Gelati
- 3 Church of the Mother of God - the main church of the complex with its mighty dome was built in the twelfth century and inside shows numerous interesting and art-historically significant frescoes from different epochs.
- 4 Gelati Academy - founded in 1106 by David the Builder based on the model of the Academy of Mangana in Constantinople. Scientists, theologians, philosophers and legal scholars who previously worked in renowned monasteries abroad, such as Ioann Petricci and Arsen Ikaltoeli, worked here. The Gelati Academy was the scientific center of medieval Georgia and also known internationally. Gelati Academy was also called Neo-Hellados or Second Athens.
- 5 St. Georgis Church, 12th century, 14th century frescoes
- The 6 Tomb of David the Builder is located in the floor of the south portal. This portal is worth seeing as the inner iron door is said to date from the Middle Ages. The ravages of time have already gnawed at it, but the gate is still imposing.
- 7 Bell tower - 13th Century
Mozameta
.jpg/220px-Motsameta_monastery,_Georgia_(1).jpg)
The Mozameta Monastery (მოწამეთა)Mozame means martyr in Georgian and is located a few kilometers west of Gelati in a narrow loop of the Zkalzitela River, high up on a cliff. So you have a great view of the area and the river.
The complex was built in the 11th century in honor of the martyrs, brothers David and Konstantin Mcheidze. They were the Eristavi of Argweta, who were defeated in the fight against Arab conquerors after long and hard resistance and were subsequently captured. The offer to convert to Islam and thus stay alive was rejected by them. Her remains were buried in Mozameta.
Mozameta is much smaller than Gelati and also less visited. Likewise, in contrast to Gelati, Mozameta is not part of the Unesco World Heritage. The facility is still worth a visit, especially since it is on the access road to Gelati anyway.
activities
In addition to various religious activities, the area is also ideal for hikes of all kinds, especially along the hiking trail in the Zkalzitela gorge. The trail begins 1 on the southeastern outskirts of Kutaisi and leads over 9 km via Mozameta to Gelati and another 12 km to 2 Zuchwati.
shop
Especially at the parking lot of Gelati, but also at Mozameta, there are some souvenir stalls with religious objects (candles, icons, crosses), ceramic works and postcards. Even the obligatory ones Tschurtschchela must not be missing. Religious objects are also sold in churches.
ATMs do not exist in Gelati and Mozameta. One should get in with cash Kutaisi stock up and have small bills and coins in stock if possible.
kitchen
There are some small restaurants in the villages of Gelati and Mozameta, away from the monastery complex. There is no catering in the monastery complex itself. It should be noted that the food is not welcomed on church premises. However, there are some sources of drinking water in the facilities.
nightlife
The monasteries are always worth a visit on major religious holidays, such as Christmas (7.1.), Easter, Mariamoba (28.8.) And Giorgoba (23.11.).
accommodation
In the villages away from the monastery there are a few small guest houses, otherwise the city is for accommodation of all types and price ranges Kutaisi referenced.
health
In Kutaisi there are pharmacies, doctors and hospitals.
Practical advice
Gelati and Mozameta, like some other cultural monuments in the area, are part of the National Agency of Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Kutaisi Historical Architectural Museum – Reserve managed. An information office is located in Kutaisi, 7 Nazarishvili Street, every day except Monday 10 am-7pm, email [email protected].
Rules of conduct for visiting churches and monasteries
As in the rest of the country, some rules of conduct apply when visiting Gelati and Mozameta:
- Appropriate clothing: That means i.a. Shoulders and knees must be covered, open shoes are not welcome. Women must wear a skirt or a scarf around their hips and a headscarf. You can usually - but not always - borrow towels at the entrance.
- Eating, drinking and smoking is prohibited on the monastery grounds. You are only allowed to use the drinking fountains on the monastery grounds.
- Since the two churches are primarily churches and not tourist attractions, you have to keep quiet, do not disturb masses or celebrations and do not enter the pulpit.
- Expressions of affection (kisses) that are too strong, even from married couples, are not welcomed on church premises.
- The cell phone should either be switched off or set to silent.
There is a post office in Kutaisi, as well as internet cafes in the nearby city. Cell phone reception works perfectly in Gelati and Mozameta, but you should refrain from calling around on church premises.
trips
Other important sights in and around Kutaisi: Bagrati Cathedral (shared Unesco World Heritage Site with Gelati), palace ruins Geguti, Natural park Sataplia and Zkaltubo with the Prometheus cave.
literature
Web links
http://heritagesites.ge/?lang=eng&page=297 - Kutaisi Historical Architectural Museum-Reserve (National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation Georgia)
