Elia (Elijah) Monastery (Region Kakheti)
Elia (Elijah) Monastery (Georgian: ელიას მონასტერი, სამრეკლოს ელიას სამლოცველო) – Architectural monument in Georgia, near the village of Samreklo (Georgian: სამრეკლო), on Mount Elia(Elijah) (Georgian: ელიას მთა). An incredibly picturesque place is located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level. The foundation of the chapel of the prophet Elijah must be associated with the monastery founded by the holy Assyrian father Stefane Khirseli (Georgian: სტეფანე ხირსელი). The monastery is distinguished not only by its spiritual significance, but also by its unique architecture. The church, destroyed over the centuries by enemy troops invading Georgia, was restored more than once by Georgian kings. Abandoned in the 20th century, the temple finally collapsed under the influence of natural factors.
The current Church of the prophet Elijah was built on the ruins of the old temple, which was preceded by archaeological work. According to archaeological materials it was possible to restore the chronology of the building and the history of the monument. Archaeological excavations confirm that the chapel of St. Elijah of Tishbe(Tezbiteli) existed in the VI century and was completely enclosed in a natural cave. Mount Elia has another secret – the entrance to a tunnel that passes through the medieval fortress city – Khornabuji (Georgian: ხორნაბუჯი). The tunnel was a complex and multi-level tunnel that led out to different places and is now collapsed. According to local residents, the tunnel used to be so big that several riders could move freely.
Samreklo village (Georgian: სოფელი სამრეკლო), Municipality of Dedoplistskaro (Georgian: დედოფლისწყაროს მუნიციპალიტეტი)