Alaverdi Monastery (Region of Kakheti)
Alaverdi Monastery (Georgian: ალავერდის მონასტერი) – The monastery was built in the era of the mighty Kakhetian kingdom. The largest church monument of Kakheti and one of the largest in the whole Georgia. The first small Christian church and consequently a male monastery was founded in the VI century, Joseph of Alaverdi (Georgian: იოსებ ალავერდელი), one of the Syrian Fathers who came to Georgia to strengthen the Christian faith and monasticism. The present cathedral was built in the beginning of the XI century, by order of the Kakhetian king Kvirike III, on the same place where the old church of St. George was located. Alaverdi Cathedral is the tallest building among medieval monuments of Georgian architecture (51 meters). The large space of the interior of the cathedral is illuminated by light entering from 16 windows located in the drum of the dome.
Alaverdi is relatively modestly decorated with carved patterns and ornaments, which is generally characteristic of Kakhetian churches. The cathedral is built of cobblestones and its exterior is clad in travertine. It is covered with blue glaze tiles. There’s a lot of writing on the walls. The monastery complex is surrounded by a fortress wall (XVII century), and inside its territory there are three-storied chambers – the bishop’s residence, a brick palace, a bathhouse, a wine cellar (marani), and monks’ cells. Alaverdi Monastery was one of the most important centers of Georgian enlightenment. One of the oldest manuscripts, the Alaverdi Gospel (1054), now in the National Manuscript Center, was transcribed here. Alaverdi Cathedral has been nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Alaverdi Village (Georgian: სოფელი ალავერდი), Akhmeta Municipality (Georgian: ახმეტის მუნიციპალიტეტი)