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Gelati Monastery, Motsameta

4.7
#1 of 30 in Things to do in Kutaisi
Must see · World heritage site · Religious Site · Historic Site
Gelati (Georgian: გელათის მონასტერი) is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi in the Imereti region of western Georgia. One of the first monasteries in Georgia, it was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia as a monastic and educational center, and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Inside the monastery's church there are murals and imagery dating from the 12th–17th centuries.
The monastery was built in the Georgian Golden Age and a gold aesthetic is employed in the paintings and buildings. It was built to highlight the presence of Christian faith in Georgia. The monastery is covered in arches that stretch over mountains.
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Tours to Gelati Monastery

FROM $352 BOOK WITH VIATOR 2-Day Private Tour to West Georgia from Tbilisi
Duration: 2 days
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FROM $472 BOOK WITH VIATOR Amazing All inclusive Tour for 7 Days From Tbilisi
Duration: 7 days
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FROM $150 BOOK WITH VIATOR Prometheus Cave Bagrati Cathedral Gelati Monastery from Tbilisi
Duration: 9 hours
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Gelati Monastery reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
541 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By ashkaann3
    Beautiful monastry near kutaisi, which is special for structure and historical ,easy to reach only 12 km away from center, there is minibus behind theater building can take you there directly , be.....  more »
  • By Balázs K
    2 times visit this place, my favourite chill zone. quiet, clean, see beautiful things, meet a girl, the popes friendly invite me the wine, cool  more »
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Google
  • By Nika Janjaria
    The nickname of The Gelati Monastery is the “Golden Age of Georgia”. The monastery was built during the Byzantine Empire which is known for the use of gold aesthetic in their paintings and buildings. It was built to show how Christianity encompassed all of this land and that Georgia was filled with Christian gospel all around even high up in the mountains. As the monastery is covered in arches that stretch over mountains show how encompassing the monastery is over the mountains and over the hills.
  • By Alexander Melo Gómez
    Lots of old, beautiful paintings cover the inner walls. The church is a bit far, but it's totally worth it for people who have not seen this style in churches before, or who is really into Georgian history. Otherwise I'd say it's pretty much as other churches in the country - not to underestimate the great importance it had it in Georgian history. It rained that day and it was foggy, so we could not see the landscape. I bet the view from there must be beautiful!
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