Sacred Sites of Georgia

Pagan sacred site of Uplistsikhe (Enlarge)

Uplistsikhe

Ten kilometers east of the village of Gori and two kilometers from a portion of the ancient Silk Road, the cave city of Uplistsikhe (pronounced oop-lis-si-hee) was a functioning city by late Bronze Age times of 1000 BC. Severe erosion has damaged the site making archaeological excavation difficult and it is probable that the many naturally occurring caves had been inhabited at a far earlier age. Prior to the introduction of Christianity to Georgia in the 4^th century, Uplistsikhe was a prominent pagan holy place and the 9^th century brick church of Uplistulis Eklesia (Prince's Church) was built directly over a pagan sun temple. During the early Middle Ages, when the city was at its peak of development, there was a population of perhaps 20,000 living in the 700 caves (of which only 150 remain). In the 13^th century Mongol invasions devastated the city and a series of earthquakes contributed to its eventual abandonment.

Pagan sacred site of Uplistsikhe (Enlarge)



Christian church at pagan site of Uplistsikhe (Enlarge)

Jvari(Dzhvari)

High on a hill overlooking the village and churches of Mtskheta, the church of Dzhvari is one of the greatest examples of early Georgian architecture and a symbol of the country. Both Dzhvari and Mtskheta churches are situated at previously pagan sacred places, dedicated to Armazi, the Georgian version of the Zoroastrian fire god, and there are also traces of even more ancient Hittite and Sumerian cult temples. The region has been continuously inhabited for over 3000 years and from the 4^th century BC to the 5^th century AD was the capital of Georgia. In 65 BC, Pompey led a Roman army through the region and the town was heavily damaged. In the 4^th century AD, Christianity was brought to Mtskheta (pronounced mts-heta) by a young woman who was later canonized as St. Nino. Christianity became the state religion of Georgia in 337 AD, making it the world's second Christian nation. By the 6^th century nearby Tbilisi had become the capital but Mtskheta and Dzhvari remained the religious center and a place of pilgrimage.

Christian church atop ancient pagan sacred hill, Jvari (Enlarge)



Christian church atop ancient pagan sacred hill, Jvari (Enlarge)

Gelati

Situated on a wooded hill 11 kilometers northeast of Kutaisi, the beautiful monastery and academy of Gelati was founded by King David the Builder in 1106. The academy, the original building of which is still standing, drew scholars from throughout eastern Europe and was a great center of neo-Platonist metaphysical philosophy between the 12^th and 15^th centuries. The Cathedral of the Virgin, completed in 1125 received additions in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. The interior of the church is filled with light coming from the large windows and many colorful frescos grace the walls. The pride of the church and one of Georgia's greatest works of art is an extraordinary mosaic composed of 2.5 million pieces of stone. Created in the 1130's, it features the Virgin and Child with the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Outside the church, to the southwest, is a sacred spring that is known to have been a pagan holy place before the arrival of Christianity. Gelati was ravaged by the Ottoman Turks in 1510 and further damaged by the Lezghians in 1579 but King Bagrat III subsequently restored the church and monastery. Russia annexed Georgia in 1801 and while Gelati lost all royal patronage from this time forward, pilgrims continued to visit the sacred place. In 1922 the Communists closed the monastery and pilgrimages were forbidden. The church was reconsecrated in 1988 and has again become a favorite place of pilgrimage for Georgian persons.

11th century church at pagan holy place, monastery of Gelati, Kutaisi (Enlarge)



Interior of the church of Gelati, Kutaisi (Enlarge)

• Motsameta monastery near Kutaisi
• Bagrati monastery near Kutaisi
• Vani temple city on Sulori River
• Medieval cave city of Vardzia
• 7^th century church of Ateni Sioni, near Gori

Icons for sale to the pilgrims, monastery of Gelati, Kutaisi (Enlarge)