Ubisa Monastery (Region of Imereti)
Ubisa Monastery (Georgian: უბისის მონასტერი) – For many years, Ubisa Monastery was an important cultural center, where for centuries books were copied, there were schools of minting and icon painting. The history of the monastery begins in the 9th century and is associated with the activities of Grigol Khandzteli (Georgian: გრიგოლ ხანძთელი). The monastery complex includes: Church of St. George, Four-story tower, Fences and extensions of the 16th centuries. Shell rock, limestone and stone slabs served as building materials for the monastery. In the center of the complex is the main building – the hall church of St. George, which has a rectangular plan with buildings to the south, west and north. The walls of the church, built of Shirim stone, are simple, which is a characteristic feature of the era of construction of the complex.
The main attraction of Ubisa is the 14th century fresco painting by the artist Damyane (Georgian: დამიანე), who created frescoes that are considered to be among the most unique in Georgia. The painting, which completely covers the dome vault, walls, pilasters and almost reaches the floor, is quite well preserved. These frescoes present a brilliant composition of all Christian holidays: the Annunciation, Palm Sunday, the crucifixion of Christ, Resurrection, Epiphany, etc. Among the frescoes, the frescoes depicting St. George and the “Last Supper” stand out. The painting of this temple is a synthesis of Georgian and Byzantine styles. On the left bank of the Dzirula River (Georgian: ძირულა), not far from the temple, on the high hill “Kinkibouri” (Georgian: ყინყიბოური), there are ruins where jugs of huge capacity for storing water and wine have been preserved. Ubisa was one of the favorite temples of Queen Tamara, who often visited it.
Ubisa village (Georgian სოფელი უბისა), Kharagauli Municipality (Georgian ხარაგაულის მუნიციპალიტეტი)