Photos of the Alverdi Medieval Monastery Buildings Georgia

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Photos of Alverdi Medieval Monastery Georgian Architecture, Georgia (country). Wonderful 11th century classicGeorgian Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of Alverdi Medieval Monastery Georgian Architecture

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Photos of the 11th century Medieval Alaverdi St George Cathedral & Monastery complex, near Telavi, Georgia (country).

Alverdi One of Greatest Georgian Orthodox Monasteries

Alverdi Monastery  is considered one of the four Great Cathedrals of the Georgian Orthodox world. Alaverdi St George Cathedral is part of an 11th century Georgian monastery founded by Joseph [Abba] Alaverdeli a monk from Antioch. He was one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers missionaries, that came to Georgia in the 6th century to found Christianity.

Founding of the Alverdi Medieval Monastery

At the time the village of Alaverdi was a pagan religious centre that worshipped the moon. In the early 11th century the building of the great Alaverdi St George Cathedral was financed by King Kvirike the Great of Kakhetia. It replaced a small 6th century church that stood on the site.

At 50 meters high Alaverdi St George Cathedral was the highest cathedral in Georgia until 2004. It was beaten by the new cathedral of Tblisi.

Surrounded by the fertile plain of the Alazani River valley with the Caucasus Mountains as a backdrop, the Alaverdi St George Cathedral is one of the great sites of Georgia.

Alverdi Cathedral Design

The outside of the cathedral has few decorative features but the interior used to be covered with frescoes. A few have survived to today. Above the altar in the apse are the remains of a fresco depicting the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary and child. Other fragments of frescoes from the 11th, 15th, and 17th centuries survive inside.

Alverdi Medieval Monastery Layout

The Alaverdi St George Cathedral is at the centre of a monastery complex that today is as a convent. The fortified curtain walls surrounding the monastery complex are still in tact as is its fortified gate house.

These did not stop the Alaverdi Cathedral being destroyed several times by invaders which led to restoration being carried out in the 15th century.

Alverdi Annual Feast Day

Around the 28th of September, every year the Alaverdi St George Cathedral is the centre of a religious harvest festival known as Alaverdoba. This celebrates the feast day of the monasteries founder, St Joseph of Alaverdi.

Situated in the heart of the world’s oldest wine region, the monks of Alaverdi were famous for their wine known as Alaverdi Monastery Cellar wines.

Colour of Pomegranates Film Set

Alaverdi St George Cathedral was used as a setting in the wonderful iconic film The Colour of Pomegranates directed by the incredible Sergei Parajanov.