| Gelati Monastery | |
|---|---|
გელათის მონასტერი | |
 The monastic complex of Gelati | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Kutaisi,Imereti,Georgia |
  Shown within Imereti Show map of Imereti Gelati Monastery (Georgia) Show map of Georgia | |
| Geographic coordinates | 42°17′41″N42°46′05″E / 42.29472°N 42.76806°E /42.29472; 42.76806 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Monastery |
| Style | Georgian |
| Founder | David IV of Georgia ("David the Builder") |
| Completed | Church of the Virgin, 1106; Churches of St. George and St. Nicholas, 13th century |
| Official name: Gelati Monastery | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv |
| Designated | 1994 (18thsession) |
| Reference no. | 710 |
| Region | Europe and North America[1] |
| Official name: Gelati Monastery | |
| Designated | November 7, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-11-07) |
| Reference no. | 875 |
| Item Number in Cultural Heritage Portal | 8550 |
| Date of entry in the registry | October 3, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-10-03) |
Gelati (Georgian:გელათის მონასტერი) is amedieval monastic complex nearKutaisi in theImereti region of westernGeorgia. One of the first monasteries in Georgia,[2] it was founded in 1106 by KingDavid IV of Georgia as a monastic and educational center.
The monastery is an exemplar of theGeorgian Golden Age and a gold aesthetic is employed in the paintings and buildings.[3] It was built to celebrate the Orthodox Christian faith in Georgia;[4] some murals found inside the Gelati Monastery church date back to the 12th century.[5] The monastery was inscribed as aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 1994 because of its outstanding architecture and its importance as an educational and scientific center in medieval Georgia.[6]
The monastery is located on a hill several kilometers to the northeast ofKutaisi. It also overlooks theTskaltsitela Gorge. It is constructed of solid stone, with full archways. The plan of the main monastery was designed in the shape of a cross, the symbol of Jesus's crucifixion and of Christianity.[7] The monastery was designed to be visible over much of the country, with its stone walls constructed to reflect sunlight. There are archways throughout the monastery, including the bell tower.
Construction began on the Gelati Monastery in 1106, under the direction of KingDavid IV of Georgia, at which timeKutaisi was the capital of Georgia.[8] It was constructed during the reign of theByzantine Empire; in this period Christianity was the ruling religion throughout the empire. The monastery's main church, known as the Church of the Blessed Virgin, was completed in 1130, under the reign of David IV's successor,Demetrius I of Georgia, and was dedicated to theVirgin Mary. The monastery is also the burial site of King David IV, near which theAncient Gates of Ganja, which were taken by King Demetrius I in 1138, can be found. The smaller chapels within the monastery date to the 13th century.
In addition to its religious purpose, the monastery was also constructed to function as an academy of science and education in Georgia: King David IV employed many Georgian scientists, theologians, and philosophers, many of whom had previously been active at various Orthodox monasteries abroad, such as theMangana Monastery inConstantinople.[8][9] Among its notable scholars wereIoane Petritsi, who translated several classics of philosophy but is best known for his commentaries onProclus; andArsen Ikaltoeli, known for hisDogmatikon, or book of teachings, influenced byAristotle. The Gelati Academy employed scribes to compile manuscript copies of important works,[8] and people of the time called it "a newHellas" and "a secondAthos".[10]
Triptychs were popular during theByzantine Empire and important in Georgian culture.[11] The triptychs represented another form of contribution to the church. Triptychs were a form of iconography for the congregation.
One of the most valuable icons housed in the monastery was theKhakhuli triptych, which was enshrined in the Gelati Monastery from the 12th century until being stolen in 1859. Although returned in 1923, it was in a reduced condition.[12]
The interiors of the monastery hold mosaics in classic Byzantine style illustrating aspects of Christian belief. The largest, a 12th-century masterpiece depicting the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, dominates theapse of the main church, and is an artwork of cultural importance in Georgia.[13] Above the altar is situated a statue of the Virgin Mary, looking down at the baby Jesus she is holding.
Themonastery is still active and its churches continue to be regularly used forreligious service. Under the supervision of UNESCO the site is being continually restored and protected. All the original structures of the monastery are intact and functional.
The mosaics and murals were damaged prior to UNESCO conservation,[14] but halted when the roof of the academy building was replaced by Georgian conservators.[8] By presidential decree, the monastery was added to the National Register of Monuments for protection and restoration in 2006.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.PNG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
 | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
