Zedazeni Monastery (Region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti)
Zedazeni Monastery (Georgian: ზედაზნის მონასტერი) is an architectural and historical monument of Georgian architecture located on the top of a mountain covered with dense forest – Zedazeni. In the 6th century, a group of 13 Christian fathers arrived in Georgia from Syria. The teacher and leader of the Orthodox missionaries – Ioane Zedazneli (Georgian: იოანე ზედაზნელი) (Georgian: იოანე ზედაზნელი) founded the center of Christianity on the site of a pagan idol – Zadeni (Georgian: ზადენი), standing on the site of the current monastery. Today, there is a monastery complex here, including a basilica, a gate bell tower and a fence. The oldest of them is a three-nave basilica, named in honor of John the Baptist. The main temple was built at the end of the 8th century on the site of an ancient church, which was erected over the grave of the founder of the monastery.
In the eastern part of this religious building there is an altar, where, under a huge stone canopy, is the burial place of Ioane of Zedazeni. There is a spring in the temple, the waters of which accumulate in a stone basin. According to legend, the water flows only on May 7, when many pilgrims flock to the holiday. This spring is endowed with healing properties and cures various ailments. The walls of the basilica are decorated with frescoes dating back to the 17th century. To the southeast of the main church, on the steep slope of the mountain, there are carved out monks’ cells. The caves can be reached by narrow paths. The wall and ruins of the castle, built relatively late, prove that Zadezen also had a fortification purpose. A little to the left of them is an observation deck with amazing views of the surrounding area. Mtskheta with its surroundings and part of Tbilisi, including the Tbilisi Sea, are visible.
Zedazeni Range (Georgian: ზედაზნის ქედი), Municipality of Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
