Pilgrim Tour From Telavi

Pilgrim Tour From Telavi

This Pilgrim tour gives you chance to fully introduce Georgian orthodox history and religion with 7 different epoch Churches.Each and every ruin you'll see, have his own unique history,in which they struggled and still,survived.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Shuamta Monasteries, Shaumta Shaumta Village, Telavi 383330 Georgia

The first destination we will visit is Shuamta Monasteries.

Two of the most important and most beautiful architectural monuments of Kakheti are the Dzveli (‘Old’) and Akhali (‘New’) Shuamta Monasteries. Both of them stand in a forest of deciduous trees which makes them look even more fascinating.

The architectural ensemble Dzveli Suamta is situated 7km of Telavi. Its consists of a 5th century basilica, one of the most curious examples of Christian Georgian architecture; The church was built of cobblestones; the corner was faced with hewn stones. In the 16th century Zveli Shuamta Monastery was abandoned. Not far from it a new, Akhali Shuamta Monastery was built by Tinatin Gurieli, the wife of King Levan II (1520-1574). The Church had a dome and was designed in the form of a cross in plan. It was built of brick; The complex includes also a bell-tower and some minor buildings.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Ikalto Monastery Complex, Ikalto Georgia

The next place we are going to visit is Ikalto Monastery complex.

Late in the 6th century Saint Zenon, one of the ‘Syrian Fathers’ founded the Ikalto Monastery 7-8 km west of the town Telavi. The Monastery was famous as one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centers of Kakheti as well as of the whole of Georgia. A high school, the academy, was founded there; Archaeological excavations revealed numerous workshops, wine-cellars, a smithy, store-rooms and other household rooms grouped around the Academy building. The academy of Ikalto trained its students in theology, rhetoric, astronomy, philosophy, geography, geometry chanting, etc. Besides the theoretical courses, the students were skilled in pottery making, metal work, viticulture and wine making, pharmacology, etc. There are three churches on the premises - Gvtaeba, Kvelatsminda and Sameba. The main church, Cvtaeba, was built on the site of an old church (in which the founder of the Monastery, St. Zenon had been buried) and had the form of the Greek Cross in plan. These churches were restored so many times that their original appearance has changed drastically. The Academy of Ikalto had functioned for a long time playing an important role in the history of Georgian Enlightenment.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tetri Giorgi, region, Atskuri, Georgia

Our Third destination is Tetri Giorgi,which translates like "White George" and is one of the local names of Christian Saint George in Georgia, specifically in the country’s northeastern highland districts.

The cult of Tetri Giorgi is associated with the Kakheti region in particular. It is syncretistic, combining the Christian saint with the cult of a local lunar deity.

White Giorgi Monastery complex is located in Akhmeta municipality.Complex contains Domed church

( X-XIII AD),The bell tower ( XVI AD) ,Fence ( X-XIII AD) and Various buildings ( XIX-XX AD) .

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Alaverdi Monastery, Alaverdi Georgia

After leaving Tetri Giorgi,we are going to visit Alaverdi Monastery, one of the most important medieval monuments in all of Georgia. It was built in the beginning of the 11th century, and was one of the tallest buildings of its time (and the tallest religious building in Georgia until 2004). The cathedral was built on the spot of the smaller Church of St George, and the current cathedral is also dedicated to him.

Alaverdi remains an excellent example of medieval Georgian architecture. The cathedral is the centerpiece of an architectural ensemble, surrounded by a fortress wall. The ensemble includes a refectory, bell tower, and summer palace. The cathedral was built in a rectangular shape, with a dome on a large barrel in the center. The outside of the cathedral is no less impressive than the interior. The large dome creates a feeling of openness inside the cathedral. Fragments of frescoes from the 11th, 15th, and 17th centuries survive inside. From the 17th to the 18th centuries, a convent operated here, which accepted women with royal heritage for a monastic life.

After visiting Alaverdi,we offer you to have picnic in nature.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gremi Citadel and Church of the Archangels, Gremi village, Gremi 383330 Georgia

When we finish picnic and relax,we are going to visit Gremi,which is a 16th century architectural monument – the royal citadel and the Church of the Archangels – in Kakheti, Georgia. The complex is what has survived from the once flourishing town of Gremi and is located east of the present-day village of the same name in the Kvareli district.

The Archangels’ Church complex is located on a hill and composed of the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel itself, a three-story castle, a bell tower and a wine cellar. It is encircled by a wall secured by embrasures, turrets and towers. Remains of the secret tunnel leading to the Intsobi River have also survived.

It is a cruciform domed church built chiefly of stone. Its design marries traditional Georgian masonry with a local interpretation of the contemporary Iranian architectural taste. The building has three entrances, one facing west, one facing to the south, and the third facing to the north. The interior is crowned with a dome supported by the corners of the sanctuary and two basic piers. The façade is divided into three arched sections. The dome sits on an arcaded drum which is punctured by eight windows.

The bell-tower also houses a museum where several archaeological artifacts and the 16th century cannon are displayed.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nekresi Monastery Complex, Nekresi Monastery Road, Kvareli 0101 Georgia

And our last destination is Nekresi,which represents complex of ecclesiastical buildings and is one of the most important cultural centers of Georgia. Beautifully set on the hilltop in the woods the monastery includes several structures built in different periods. The oldest is a chapel of the small basilica type built in 4th century, In 5-7th centuries here was erected the main temple - St. Virgin's Church of the triple-church basilica type, which has several important inscriptions and wall-painting of 16th century; In 9th century was built the domed church; There are also other buildings for different purposes - bishop's palace.The monastery remembers numerous Muslim invasions.

Duration: 1 hour