Gelati (Georgian: გელათის მონასტერი) is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi in the Imereti region of western Georgia. One of the first monasteries in Georgia, it was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia as a monastic and educational center.Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Kutaisi trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.
The monastery is an exemplar of the Georgian Golden Age and a gold aesthetic is employed in the paintings and buildings. It was built to celebrate Orthodox Christian faith in Georgia. Some murals found inside the Gelati Monastery church date back to the 12th century. The monastery was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its outstanding architecture and its importance as an educational and scientific center in medieval Georgia.
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Gelati Monastery reviews
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The place is really wonderful. The tour around took maybe one hour and we had a guide (we found him in the main church), for 20 lari, he showed us all complex and he was really nice. Definitely try...
The place is really wonderful. The tour around took maybe one hour and we had a guide (we found him in the main church), for 20 lari, he showed us all complex and he was really nice. Definitely try... more »
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The Gelati monastery is actually in renovation and we arrived late, when the sun was going down. Although the inside had not so much light left anymore, the frescoes were absolutely stunning and...
The Gelati monastery is actually in renovation and we arrived late, when the sun was going down. Although the inside had not so much light left anymore, the frescoes were absolutely stunning and... more »
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A gorgeous complex sitting on the top of the hill overlooking the valley 360 around. We visited this site back in 2018, nothing has changed there except more scaffolding in the cathedral due to the notorious issue of roof leakage and damage to the frescoes. The frescoes that remain visible though are beautiful and magnificent. Seeing them, especially during a service on a sunny day, feels like a miracle. An unforgettable impression that rightfully puts Gelati on a must-visit list
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Gelati Monastery - Georgian architectural ensemble, the most important cultural center of medieval Georgia. Built on st. 11 km northeast of Kutaisi, in the gorge of the river Tskaltsiteli. Founded in 1106 under the leadership of David the Builder. Bounded by a fence. The ensemble includes buildings of different eras (mainly XII-XIII centuries). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cultural monument of national importance to Georgia.
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