Century-old history – churches-monasteries of Adjara
The beautiful corner of Georgia, Adjara, in addition to its fabulous nature, beautiful coastline, attractive tourist infrastructure, excellent museums and modern architecture, is distinguished by its centuries-old history, which gives you the opportunity to travel back in time. We present to you some churches-monasteries with important and outstanding architecture, which you must visit while in Adjara.
The Episcopal Cathedral of Khinotsminda
Dates back to the IX century and is located in the village of Khino, Kobuleti Municipality, Adjara. The temple was damaged in the 18th century, during the Ottoman invasion, and today it remains only in the form of ruins. The main building of the Khinotsminda complex was the temple, around which the auxiliary buildings were surrounded by a wall. The church is currently in ruins, the height of the remaining walls does not exceed 3 meters. It should be noted that the temple of a similar plan is little known in the territory of Georgia.
Chekhedana Church
Built-in 1609 by Mamiya II Gurieli to appease the soul of his young son Manuchar. It is located in Adjara, in the village of tskrafona, Kobuleti municipality. The Chekhedana Temple was established as a rival of the Jerusalem Cross Monastery, which meant that the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who arrived in Guria, had to perform the service here. The current temple was built on the foundation of the old church, which was destroyed in the 90s of the XX century.
Church of Vernebi
Located on a high hill in the village of Vernebi, Khulo municipality, Adjara. It dates back to the 11th-13th centuries and was badly damaged during the reign of the Ottomans, and a small part of the historical monument remains today. The temple is a hall building, with the southern building, which was used as a mortuary. The hall ends with a semicircular apse in the east. The main space was divided into three sections by profiled pilasters of the longitudinal walls and vaulted arches. The altar arch was also decorated with imposts.
The church of the Vanadze
Dates back to the 12th-13th centuries and is located in the village of Vanadze, Khulo municipality, Adjara. The temple is destroyed, only its small parts remain. Fragments of the eastern and southern walls of the church are almost not preserved, part of the eastern and southern walls are better visible. On the territory of the church, there are fragments of masonry, arch and arch stones, as well as Lorfin tiles.
The Church of Satsikhuri
Dates back to the IX-X centuries and is located in the village of Satsikhuri, Khulo municipality, Adjara. The temple is preserved only in the form of ruins, parts of the eastern, western and northern walls have survived. It turns out that the church was a hall building. Often, Satsikhuri church is called ”Jvartani”.
The Tikinauri church
Dates back to the X-XI centuries and is located in Adjara, Khulo municipality, 1.5 km from Khikhadziri. The church was a small hall building, which today has been destroyed to the level of the foundation.
Kaloti Church
A monument of the 11th-13th centuries, located in the village of Kalota, Khulo municipality, Adjara. The church is a hall building with a southern building, the latter was used as a mortuary. The hall ends with a semicircular apse to the east. The walls of the Kaloti church were covered with well-worked stone slabs and decorated with carvings. Today, the church remains in the form of ruins.
The Church of St. George of Zvare
Located in the village of Zvare, Kedi Municipality, Adjara. The building is of the hall type and ends with a semicircular apse in the east. The church has a gate built in the west, which is opened by three-sided arches. All the windows and entrances of the temple are arched. The facades are surrounded by a Cornice with a plain profile. Apart from the Cornice, there are no decorative elements on the facades. To the west of the church there is a three-storied belfry of square shape, which also serves as a gate.
