Monastery of Jvari in Georgia: description

Jvari - the monastery of the Holy Cross, with the passage of time attracts an increasing number of pilgrims. The temple is located in the picturesque area of Mtskheta, on top of the mountain. In the responses, tourists write that in this place the words of the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov are recalled, because it is here that the "Aragvi and Kura streams" merge and, rattling with foam waves, rush to ancient Tbilisi.

A significant part of the monastery is destroyed, although the Great Church is still used to hold major religious holidays and solemn weddings. The complex is on the UNESCO list of objects under threat of destruction. The world community allocates considerable funds for its maintenance.

History, woven from facts and legends

Mtskheta was the place where Georgia adopted Christianity in 334. To this day, it remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Jvari, or, as it is also called, the Monastery of the Cross, is considered one of the oldest in the Caucasus. Historians believe that it was built on the site where St. Nino, the missionary woman, in the IV century created the first Christian community. As the legend says, she stopped here and prayed for a long time, and then stuck a cross in the ground. By the year 545, the first temple was erected in this place. Later he was called the Small Church of Jvari. Unfortunately, it has not survived.

The second and larger temple, called the Great Jvari Church, was built nearby, between 586 and 605 years. Presumably, the remains of the patron saint of Georgia are buried under the foundation of the monastery. This place is considered the most sacred not only in the country, but throughout the North Caucasus region.

Architectural style

The monastery of Jvari is a vivid example of the assimilation of eastern and western values, adapted to local art culture and natural conditions. The small beautiful symmetrical building became the culmination of early Christian-Georgian architecture and absorbed a number of artistic and architectural aspirations of ancient builders.

The temple is made in the tetra-conch type (the four apses are in the form of a cross with a slightly elongated "east-west" axis). The decisions made on the basis of careful calculations are still impressive and testify to Georgia's centuries-old building tradition.

Deep niches between the four semicircular apses lead to corner rooms. The south-western wing had only one entrance and was intended for women. The wide open octagon of the central room is crowned with a low dome that rises from the bearing walls to three tiers.

Exterior and interior

The harmonious interior of the temple evokes tranquility, harmony and mysterious spiritual grandeur, undoubtedly enhanced by the lack of mosaic and other ornaments. The room is illuminated minimally (with small window-slits and candles), so it looks somewhat dark and thoughtful. Above the altar stands a wooden cross - it's all a decoration of the temple. Decorative design clearly shows the influence of Sasanian art.

This same rigor applies to the external appearance. Evenly exposed stone blocks and a careful balance of the four facades that form the "arms of the cross" have become an outstanding achievement of construction, especially given the technical difficulties of that time and the location of the western part of the building over a steep slope. Among the bas-reliefs of the eastern wall, you can find portraits of kings and bears that built the Jvari monastery, and explanatory inscriptions in the Georgian language. In this we can note the influence of Hellenistic traditions.

The exterior of the church is in complete harmony with the interior space and artistically independent. This feature makes the church different from Byzantine temples, in which the organization of the interior space is in a high priority.

How to get to the monastery of Jvari?

As reported by tourists, the distance from Tbilisi to Mtskheta is about 19 kilometers, which takes up to 20 minutes by road.

Municipal buses run daily. On Sunday, the number of flights is sharply reduced. The stop in Tbilisi is at the market (the metro station "Didube" .The fare in the subway is fixed - 0,50 GEL - and does not depend on the distance). Leaving the metro, you must pass a number of single-story shops and turn right. From here goes a lot of minibuses in different directions. The ticket can be bought at the ticket office or paid directly to the driver. The fare is 1 GEL.

Reviews of tourists warn that if there is no desire to overpay, then do not pay attention to the taxi drivers hanging about there - they can report that minibuses to Jvari Monastery do not reach or their services will be cheaper. It will be untrue.

You can also get there by car or taxi. If you use the services of a private carrier, then before you get into the car, you need to negotiate a price. The cost ranges from 10 to 20 lari. In the collapsible will be cheaper, because the amount is divided into all passengers.

Helpful Tips

In the responses of tourists who have already visited the Georgian shrine, you can read some recommendations. So, among other things:

• Pilgrims and simply inquisitive people must observe certain rules of conduct by visiting the Jvari Monastery. Photo and video shooting of some fragments is strictly prohibited. Help not to be mistaken placed on the territory of special plates.
• Representatives of the weaker sex should have with them 2 scarves each. One should cover the head, the second, if the woman in trousers, you need to tie up, imitating the skirt. If you do not have a blanket with you, you can not be upset - at the entrance to the temple hang aprons and scarves, which will be offered to use.

Products of metal and enamel applied to it is famous for Mtskheta. The Jvari Monastery opened a small souvenir shop on its territory, where you can buy a jewelry, cross, chain, calendar, magnet, book, rosary or consecrated water as a souvenir.

In addition, tourists' reviews tell that the food in the restaurants of Mtskheta is very tasty and much cheaper than the similar one in Tbilisi.

Accommodation for the night in Mtskheta will also bring less damage to the budget than directly in the Georgian capital, and the relative proximity to the main city of the country and good transport links with it will make it possible to explore other surrounding attractions.

What else to see in Mtskheta?

In 2004, the List of World Monuments Fund was added to the Jvari Monastery. Georgia In the Mtskheta district is rich in other monumental buildings. So, in the responses of tourists who have visited here are mentioned:

• Svetitskhoveli (the Life-Giving Pillar) is one of the most sacred places in Georgia along with the Jvari Monastery. The cathedral was built in 1010, where the first Christian church of the country stood. It houses the graves of ancient Georgian kings, including Sidonia, which, according to legend, was buried with the mantle of Christ in his hands.

• Samtavro (Ruler's Place) is located north of the main road, a few minutes walk from Svetitskhoveli. According to legend, St. Nino prayed at this place, and then a small church was built here, dating from the 4th century. In the XI century, a larger temple was built here. It still contains the graves of the Georgian king Mirian, who converted to Christianity, and his wife Nana.
• Bebris Ciche (Fortress of the Elder) is located up the main road from Samtavro. In the reviews tourists say that wandering the ruins of the citadel is fun enough, but it is not safe. From the top, a valley opens, formed by the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi Rivers .