Church of the Dormition
Frescoes and Tamar's portrait.
ben van der ploeg from devizes, uk — CC BY 2.0 · Wojciech Bijok — CC BY 3.0 · Karelj — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jacques Paysan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY 4.0 · The coffe girl — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SzerokieWidoki Photo from Cambridgeshire — CC BY-SA 2.0
A town and monastery carved into the slopes of Mount Erusheti on the left bank of the Mtkvari in southern Georgia, one of the country's most extraordinary sights. Its caves stretch along the cliff for about five hundred metres in up to nineteen tiers, with churches, halls, cells, storerooms, passages and tunnels. Most of it was carved in the second half of the twelfth century under King Giorgi III and then his daughter Queen Tamar, in Georgia's golden age, and it was an important centre of literature and art. An earthquake struck it in 1283, the Persians sacked it in 1551, and the monks left after the Ottomans arrived in 1578. Together with Khertvisi fortress it has been proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status. Its highlight is the rock-cut Church of the Dormition from the 1180s, with important frescoes including a portrait of Queen Tamar. Visitors climb up and down stairs, walkways and tunnels between the caves, and the terraces look out over the river valley. Tickets are about 15 GEL per visitor guides; it opens daily except Monday from 10 am to 7 pm, per the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation. The tunnels are narrow and low and there are many steps, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water; you can stop at Khertvisi fortress on the way.
Frescoes and Tamar's portrait.
Between the caves.
From the terraces.
Left bank of the Mtkvari near Aspindza, about 110 kilometres south of Borjomi
About two hours among the caves and church; the drive from Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe is long, so plan a full day.