Khandzta(Khantsta) monastery (Region of Klarjeti)
Khandzta or Khantsta monastery (Georg. ხანძთის (ხანცთის) მონასტერი, Tur. Handzta Manastırı) – The monastery complex in the historical region of Georgia – Clarjeti (Georg. კლარჯეთი). It is located in the historical Georgian village of Khandzta (Georg. ხანძთა), modern Pirnalli (Tur. Pırnallı), in the province of Artvin (Georg. ართვინი), Turkey. Founded at the end of the 8th century by a saint – Grigol Khandzteli (Georg. გრიგოლ ხანძთელი). The monastery complex took its final form in 918-941. To the west of the main church, there is a well-preserved two-story building of the bell tower, in the inscriptions of which the name of the builder of the bell tower is mentioned – Markozi (Geor. მარკოზი). Behind the protective wall of the monastery there is an architecturally decorated spring. A small hall chapel was built on it.
The main temple of the monastery, the Church of Khandzta of the Holy Great Martyr George, due to its graceful size and high proportions, dominates not only the monastery complex, but also the entire adjacent territory (Georgian architect – Amona (Georg. ამონა, surname unknown). It is safe to say that Khandzta Church is a representative of a new stage of medieval Georgian architecture. The building stone of the temple is carefully processed. They are so tightly fitted to each other that lime mortar is not visible between the stones. For facing the dome, a particularly high-quality stone was used, which was bought and worn from a long distance on the backs. Obviously, in order to destroy the main temple, the supporting pillars of the dome were deliberately removed. However, the almost hanging dome still maintains its stability, thanks to the highest technical quality of the construction and the use of a strong connecting solution. Currently, most of the walls of the church have been demolished and this magnificent architectural and historical monument is on the verge of destruction.
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