Akura Monastery (Region of Kakheti)
Akura Monastery (Georgian: აკურის მონასტერი) – The monument of medieval Georgian church architecture. The main building of the monastery, Akura Church of St. David (Georgian: აკურის მამადავითის ეკლესია) , is dedicated to one of the thirteen Syrian fathers – David of Gareji (Garejeli) (Georgian:დავით გარეჯელი). The past of this religious monument is closely connected with the establishment and development of monastic life in Kakheti, the kings of Kakheti, Great David of Gareji and the special importance of the village of Akura in the history of the Kakheti kingdom. The preserved part of the once prosperous monastery complex is located in the upper part of the modern village of Akura (Georgian: სოფელი აკურა), in the middle of a picturesque pine forest. Monastery complex. It was founded by the famous church figure Ilarion Kartveli (Georgian: ილარიონ ქართველი).
The main church is built of cobblestone and brick. By the nature of the plan and facades, the three-nave basilica is one of the earliest and well-preserved examples of temple architecture. The facades of the church clearly show two layers of construction made of different building materials. Several fragments of wall paintings have been preserved in the church. The timing of their execution, like the stages of construction, is related to two different phases of the church’s history. On the western wall of the church, small fragments of Nativity and Dormition scenes have been preserved. On the eastern and western facades there are four partially damaged inscriptions in medieval Georgian script “Asomtavruli” (Georgian: ასომთავრული), dated to the IX century. It should be noted that the Akura Monastery served as a sub-ward of the Lavra of St. David of Gareji (Georgian: დავით გარეჯელის ლავრა) . The remains of a cellar and other outbuildings have been preserved on the fenced territory of the monastery.
Akura village (Georgian: სოფელი აკურა), Telavi municipality (Georgian: თელავის მუნიციპალიტეტი)