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Gelati Monastery
გელათის მონასტერი
Gelati 1661.jpg
The monastic complex of Gelati
Religion
Affiliation Georgian Orthodox Church
Location
Location Kutaisi, Imereti, Georgia
Gelati Monastery is located in Imereti
Gelati Monastery
Location in Imereti
Gelati Monastery is located in Georgia
Gelati Monastery
Location in Georgia
Architecture
Architectural type Monastery
Architectural style Georgian
Founder David IV of Georgia ("David the Builder")
Completed Church of the Virgin, 1106;
Churches of St. George and St. Nicholas, 13th century
Official name: Gelati Monastery
Type Cultural
Criteria iv
Designated 1994 (18th session)
Reference no. 710
Region Europe and North America
Invalid designation
Official name: Gelati Monastery
November 7, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-11-07)
875
Item Number in Cultural Heritage Portal 8550
October 3, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-10-03)

The Gelati Monastery (Georgian: გელათის მონასტერი) is a very old church complex. It is located near Kutaisi in western Georgia. King David IV of Georgia started building it in 1106. He wanted it to be a special place for both religion and learning.

This monastery is a great example of the Georgian Golden Age. This was a time when Georgia was very strong and creative. The buildings and paintings at Gelati use a lot of gold colors. This shows how important the Orthodox Christian faith was in Georgia. Some of the wall paintings inside are from the 12th century. In 1994, UNESCO named Gelati a World Heritage Site. This means it is a very important place for everyone in the world to protect.

What is Gelati Monastery?

The monastery sits on a hill a few kilometers northeast of Kutaisi. It also looks over the Tskaltsitela Gorge. The buildings are made of strong stone. They have many beautiful archways.

The main church is shaped like a cross. This shape is a symbol of Christianity. The monastery was built so it could be seen from far away. Its stone walls were made to reflect sunlight. You can see archways all over the monastery, even in the bell tower.

A Look at Gelati's Past

Building the Gelati Monastery started in 1106. King David IV of Georgia led the project. At that time, Kutaisi was the capital city of Georgia. The monastery was built during the time of the Byzantine Empire. Christianity was the main religion then.

The main church, called the Church of the Virgin, was finished in 1130. This was during the rule of King David IV's son, Demetrius I of Georgia. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. King David IV is buried at the monastery. Near his burial spot, you can find the Ancient Gates of Ganja. King Demetrius I brought these gates here in 1138. The smaller chapels in the monastery were built later, in the 13th century.

Gelati as a Learning Center

Gelati Monastery was not just for religious purposes. It was also a famous place for science and education. King David IV invited many Georgian scientists and thinkers to work there. Many of them had studied in other Orthodox monasteries. For example, Ioane Petritsi translated important philosophy books. Arsen Ikaltoeli wrote a book of teachings called Dogmatikon.

The Gelati Academy also had people who copied important books by hand. People at that time even called Gelati "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos". This shows how important it was for learning.

Amazing Art at Gelati

The monastery has many beautiful artworks.

Triptychs

Triptychs were popular during the Byzantine Empire. They were very important in Georgian culture. A triptych is a picture or carving with three panels. These artworks helped people in the church understand their faith.

One very special artwork was the Khakhuli triptych. This was a valuable icon kept at Gelati from the 12th century. Sadly, it was stolen in 1859. It was returned in 1923, but it was not in its original perfect condition.

Mosaics

Inside the monastery, you can see amazing mosaics. These are pictures made from small pieces of colored stone or glass. They are in the classic Byzantine style. They show different parts of Christian belief.

The largest mosaic is from the 12th century. It shows the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. This mosaic is in the main church's apse (the curved part behind the altar). It is a very important piece of art for Georgia. Above the altar, there is also a statue of the Virgin Mary looking down at baby Jesus.

Protecting Gelati Monastery

The monastery is still active today. Its churches are still used for religious services. UNESCO helps to restore and protect the site. All the original buildings are still standing and being used.

Some of the mosaics and murals were damaged in the past. But Georgian experts stopped this damage by replacing the roof of the academy building. In 2006, the monastery was added to Georgia's National Register of Monuments. This helps make sure it is protected and restored for the future.

Important Burials

Many important people are buried at Gelati Monastery. These include several kings and queens of Georgia:

Gallery

  • Gelati Monastery view
  • Გელათის მონასტერი Gelati Monastery (48743471723)
  • Gelati Theotokos

    Mother of God, mosaic fresco

  • Gelati archangel

    Archangel Michael, mosaic fresco

  • Gelati Ascension

    The Ascension, mural (16th century)

  • Gelati (4)

    Icon of St. George in front of the iconostasis

  • Georgia Gelati monastery near Kutaisi church of Virgin Mary the Blessed mural of Christ on ceiling of the central dome XII century

    Gelati monastery, church of Virgin Mary the Blessed. Mural of Christ Pantokrator on ceiling of the central dome (12th century)

  • Georgia, Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed, mosaic+mural depicting Theotokos, Angels Michael and Gabriel, Arc de Triomphe

    Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed, mosaic and mural in the apse depicting Theotokos, Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Arc de Triomphe

  • Georgia, Imereti, Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural on north wall. Queen Rusudan, Prince Bagrat, King George II, Queen Helen, King Bagrat III of Imereti, Catholicos Yevclemon Chetidze, David the Builder

    Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural on north wall. From left to right: Queen Rusudan, Prince Bagrat, King George II, Queen Helen, King Bagrat III of Imereti, Catholicos Yevdemon Chetidze, David the Builder

  • Georgia, Gelati monastery. Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural.

    Gelati monastery. Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural.

  • Gelati (state.gov)

    Shrine in the monastery church

  • Gelati monastery

    Gelati Monastery

  • Gelati monastery (4)

    Gelati Monastery

  • Gelati monastery (3)

    Gelati Monastery

  • Gelati Monastery 2

    Gelati Monastery

  • Gelati Monastery 1

    Gelati Monastery

  • Gelati Monastery 4

    Gelati Monastery

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (02)

    St. George church

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (10)

    St. Nicholas church

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (08)

    Belfry

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (19)

    Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (07)

    Portal in the cathedral

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (34)

    Frescoes in the cathedral

  • 2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (44)

    Frescoes in the cathedral

  • Gelati Monastery- academy, church of St. Nicholas and bell-tower

    Gelati Monastery

See Also

  • Culture of Georgia
  • Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
  • Motsameta monastery
  • World Heritage Sites in Danger
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