КАХЕТИ: монастыри и озера | Некреси | Алаверди | Кварели | Собор Дзвели-Гавази

In this video: 00:00 Trip to Kakheti 00:36 Alaverdi Monastery ალავერდის წმ. გიორგის მონასტერი 02:06 Nekresi Monastery ნეკრესის მონასტერი 05:56 Ilia Lake ილიას ტბა 06:30 Kvareli Lake ყვარლის ტბა 07:34 Zveli-Gavazi Cathedral გავაზის ღვთისმშობელი 08:35 St. Nikoloz Church (Avaliant Sakdari) ავალიშვილების დარბაზული ეკლესია (ავალიანთ საყდარი) Alaverdi Monastery is one of the oldest and grandest churches in Eastern Georgia. It was founded in the 6th century by the Assyrian monk Joseph of Alaverdi and has remained an important spiritual center of Kakheti ever since. The current cathedral building was constructed in the 11th century under King Kvirike and was long considered the tallest church in Georgia — nearly 50 meters high. Even today, Alaverdi impresses with its scale and the austere beauty of its stone architecture. Nekresi Monastery is one of the oldest and most significant Christian sites in Georgia. A scenic road through the forest leads to it, accessible either on foot or by a special shuttle bus. The monastery’s history dates back to the 4th century, shortly after Christianity became the state religion of Iberia. One of the first Christian churches in Georgia — a small basilica — was built here and has survived to this day. Saint Abibos of Nekresi played a special role in the monastery’s history. He was one of the thirteen Assyrian fathers who came to Georgia in the 6th century to strengthen monastic life and is now venerated as one of the most respected saints of the Georgian Church. The monastic complex developed over centuries. Visitors can see buildings from different historical periods: – an early Christian basilica from the 4th century, – a domed church from the 6th century, – a bishop’s palace, – monastic cells and utility buildings. Today, Nekresi is both an active monastery and an open-air museum. Ilia Lake is named after the great Georgian writer and educator Ilia Chavchavadze. It is not a natural lake but an artificial one created in the 2000s. Yet it blends so harmoniously into the landscape that it feels like a natural part of it. The shores feature leisure areas, cafés, gazebos, and walking and cycling paths. Kvareli Lake is a secluded nature spot in the heart of Kakheti, just a few kilometers from the town of Kvareli. Hidden among hills and forests at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, it offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Although it is an artificial reservoir, over the years it has become part of the local landscape. On its shore lies the Kvareli Lake Resort — a cozy retreat with restaurants, terraces, boats, and swimming pools. Visitors come here for relaxation, yoga, romantic getaways, or simply to escape the city. The Zveli-Gavazi Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian churches in Kakheti. Built in the 6th century during early Christianity, when Georgia was still forming as a Christian state, the church is a three-nave basilica characteristic of the early medieval period. Some elements, such as arches or later additions, may have been added in subsequent centuries, but the core of the building has remained intact for over 1,500 years. Inside, some inscriptions and fragments of murals have partially survived. It is still an active church, with services held especially on major Orthodox holidays. Here, there are no crowds of tourists — only silence, vineyards, and a sense of ancient history that can be seen and felt. St. Nikoloz Church is a hidden treasure of Georgia. It is built directly into a natural rock slope, hence the name “Sakdari,” meaning “in the rock.” Small and secluded, it exudes an atmosphere of quiet and peace.