Georgia
Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery is a medieval Orthodox monastery that is considered the masterpiece of the architecture of the “Golden Age” of Georgia.
The architecture is characterized by large blocks and the use of blind arches. In the monastery and its churches, great numbers of medieval mosaics, murals and manuscripts have been preserved. The complex was also one of the country’s main cultural and educational centers.
Community Perspective: the earlier reviews still mention the Bagrati Cathedral, with which Gelati shared its inscription until the former was delisted in 2017. Els did the most recent comprehensive review of a visit to the Gelati Monastery from Kutaisi.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Gelati Monastery (ID: 710)
- Country
- Georgia
- Status
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Inscribed 1994
Site history
History of Gelati Monastery
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- georgia.travel — Georgian National Tourism Administration
- georgiaabout.com — About Gelati Monastery
News Article
- Oct. 20, 2020 agenda.ge — Temporary roofing for Gelati UNESCO site to be completed by December
- July 14, 2020 agenda.ge — Experts studying rainwater leaks, fresco damage at Gelati UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Sept. 17, 2012 civil.ge — Opening ceremony of controversially rebuilt medieval Bagrati Cathedral
- July 30, 2010 whc.unesco.org — World Heritage Committee inscribes Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Georgia) on List of World Heritage in Danger
Community Information
- Community Category
- Religious structure: Christian
Travel Information
Undergoing Restoration or Repair
Recent Connections
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Undergoing Restoration or Repair
The ancient frescoes in the Gelati Mona… -
Free entrance
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Freestanding Bell Tower
one of the oldest bell-towers in Georgia
Connections of Gelati Monastery
- Geography
- Trivia
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Dubbed as another WHS
Gelati Monastery: From its very foundation it was called the "Second Athos" as the cradle of literacy and the "Second Jerusalem" as the religious center. (state party in nomination TList Gelati Monastery) -
On Banknotes
500 lari, 1995
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- Architecture
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Mosaic art
At Gelati
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- World Heritage Process
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Sites for which a reduction is or was planned
"Lost" Bagrati Cathedral in 2017, which had undergone major reconstruction detrimental to its integrity and authenticity. -
Inscribed on a single criterion only
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history -
Former In Danger List sites
2010-2017 -
Inscribed element(s) removed
Was originally inscribed in 1994 as "Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery". Reconstruction of Bagrati led to its removal in 2017 as a "Major Boundary Modification" together with a justification of Gelati on its own. -
Single Monuments
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- Constructions
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Dynastic Burial Places
Within the four hectares monastic enclosure are royal graves, reflecting the monastery’s role as a burial place for the Georgian Royal family. (AB ev) -
Freestanding Bell Tower
one of the oldest bell-towers in Georgia
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- WHS on Other Lists
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Memory of the World
Georgian Byzantine Manuscripts -
World Monuments Watch (past)
Gelati Monastery and Academy, Kutaisi (2008) -
U.S. Ambassadors Fund
Documentation of Frescoes in the Church of the Virgin in Gelati Monastery (2003), Conservation of the Chapels and Narthex of the Early 12th Century Church of the Virgin at Gelati Monastery in Kutaisi (2016)
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- Timeline
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Built in the 12th century
Monastery dates from 1106
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- Science and Technology
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Universities
Gelati (Gelati Academy)
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- Visiting conditions
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Undergoing Restoration or Repair
The ancient frescoes in the Gelati Monastery have been damaged by rainwater due to improper restoration of the roof, the UNESCO has claimed. The UNESCO has notified Georgian authorities that the roof should be repaired not later than February 2022, since its absence could lead to further damage to the temple. - the monastery is fully closed until August 15, 2024 -
Free entrance
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News
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
Since the retreat of the controversial Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery can shine in its own right. And what a sight this is. Its wall paintings are overwhelming and intriguing at the same time, because the depicted people far exceed the average list of Christian holy figures. They show saints and historical figures from Georgia and the Byzantine empire in their most beautiful clothing.
The 12th-century Gelati Monastery dates back to the Golden Age of medieval Georgia. The complex consists of 3 churches, a free-standing bell tower and an academy building. It was for a long time the cultural center of Georgia, with its own academy where the best scientists, theologians and philosophers worked.
From the center of Kutaisi, a minibus leaves 5 times a day directly to this monastery. It starts from a small parking lot with some other local minibusses at the back of Meskhishvili Theatre. The ride costs 1 lari (0.30 EUR). The 4 pm bus that I took only transported women: a few living along the route who had gone shopping in the city, another tourist and me. We two were the only ones that remained on the bus til the end. You can already see the monastery from a distance, on a hill amongst the greenery. The drive takes only a short 20 minutes.
The complex has the (for Georgia) usual set of souvenir and snack stalls in the parking lot. A small courtyard contains the 3 churches, the bell tower and the …
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Our group from Switzerland visited both places this September. We were happy to see that Bagrati Cathedral shows no more outward signs of damage. We were even spontaneously given a little concert of Georgian songs by four men in traditional costumes.
As for Gelati Monastery, it was a great joy that the academy building was completely restored, including a solid roof. So it was easy to picture the academic life of those times.
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After visiting Azerbeidzjan, we continued our trip to Georgia. Wonderful Mtskheta and in Kutaisi: Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery. The construction inside Bagrati Cathedral to restore the building is perfect, but outside, left from the entrance it is awful
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We've visited Bagrati Cathedral yesterday. The restoration process is coming full force, transforming the building. During my last visit, the church had no roof. Now, the roof is done and building is almost reconstructed. I really enjoyed the "original" no roof look. Now, it looks just like any other church in the area.
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Bagrati Cathedral was a beautiful experience. Our church plans a mission trip every year to the Republic of Georgia to help out orphanges and we always visit Bagrati Cathedral because it is such a beautiful place. We do not have anything like this in the USA. I was so impressed with the architecture and at night our group went up there at sunset and we took candles because there is no electricity. What an awsome experience. We met many native Georgians that night and made many new friends. This will be a place we will always return to because of the many wonderful memories there. I found this quote that I thought was very fitting to Bagrati.
C. S. Lewis once said “that all churches should be roofless, for this very reason: worshipers would be overcome by the world God has fashioned rather than shut up in their man-made boxes.”
Warren Dent
Atlanta, Georgia
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The “double headed” WHS of “Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery” consists of a ruined (in 1691 by the Turks) Cathedral of the 10th to 11th centuries in the town of Kutaisi and a (still functioning) monastery complex built between the 12th to 17 centuries situated in the countryside some 12kms away.
Apart from the geographical proximity and the fact that, taken together, the 2 buildings represent a long and continuous period of Georgian religious architecture, I know of no reason why they are linked together in a single WHS.
Even in “shell” form the cathedral is an enormous building. It is named after Bagrat III the first king of united Georgia and is no doubt of considerable architectural interest. I also understand the comments made by another reviewer about the open roof not necessarily detracting from its religious impact (UNESCO has severely criticised the idea, apparently floated in the early 90’s, presumably as some sort of “Georgian independence celebration”, of rebuilding the Cathedral!). I however did not find the building and its setting particularly inspiring.
I personally far preferred the Gelati complex. It is beautifully set in countryside of woods and fields of greenest hue. A stream runs through the grounds and the ensemble of 2 main buildings complement each other superbly. The interior contains many fine mosaics and frescos. We had the place to ourselves. (Visited Aug 2000)
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