Berta Seri Cave Monastery (Region of Kakheti)
Berta Seri Monastery (Berebis Seri) (გარეჯის ბერთა სერის (ბერების სერი) მონასტერი) – Monastery is located in the northeastern part of the monastic complexes of David Gareja, on the bank of the Iori River and dates back to the VI-VIII centuries. The Berta Seri (Berebis Seri) complex consists of rock-cut caves with various purposes. There are dome and hall churches, dwellings and economic premises. Berebis Seri is one of the most important monuments of Georgian culture with its artistic and architectural peculiarities. Some of the caves of the complex are simple cells of monks, which are arranged in several tiers. The tunnels connecting the floors and stone steps are completely destroyed.
A group of churches, including a domed church, a three-tiered church, a two-tiered chapel, an apse church and a painted church, attracts special attention. The sophistication of architectural forms of the rock-cut churches is impressive. The arches are decorated with images of the cross and carvings. Georgian inscriptions have been preserved on fragments of fresco paintings. An interesting train destination is a two-story cave. There is a circular hole in the middle of the ceiling of the first floor, from which the second floor is visible. The second floor is illuminated by a rather large arched window and is connected to several caves. Scholars consider this room to be a bell tower. In monastery complexes David Gareji, apart from this monastery, carved in the rock bell is nowhere to be found.
Gareji Desert (Georgian: გარეჯის უდაბნო), Sagarejo Municipality (Georgian: საგარეჯოს მუნიციპალიტეტი)
