Monastery of Nekresi

The monastery complex of Nekresi is a unique place for several reasons. First, it is from here that Christianity began to spread throughout Georgia. Secondly, in Nekresi is the oldest church in the country. And thirdly, from the top of the mountain, on which the monastery stands, offers a stunning view of the Alazani Valley. Once the monastery was home to more than 2,000 monks and was a fairly large city. Up to now, only a few buildings have reached, but each of them is a real treasure, which is definitely worth seeing when traveling in Kakheti.

The oldest building of the monastery - the Church of St. John the Baptist, dated 4 century (as reported by the appropriate plate). Inside this tiny temple, as in most similar structures in Georgia, there is quite an ascetic situation: no murals, only a rough rough stone, several icons hanging on the wall and a modest candlestick.

Next door is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the 8th century, built in the form of a basilica. Its walls are painted in the same manner. Inside there are stasidia - special wooden chairs, which today can be found only in Orthodox churches in Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. Also worthy of attention is the so-called "Square Church" of the 9th century, the tower of the 16th century and the Bishop's Palace - a kind of exhibition hall with many paintings on the biblical theme and icons.

An integral part of the monastery complex of Nekresi is a wine cellar, or "marani". This is an open gallery with grooves in the floor for the installation of pitchers. Nothing surprising, because the monastery is located in the Alazani Valley - the old center of Georgian winemaking.