Gelati ( ) 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.

The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a cultural, educational and scientific center in medieval Georgia. It is an exemplar of the Georgian Golden Age and a gold aesthetic is employed in the paintings and buildings. some murals found inside the Gelati Monastery church date back to the 12th century.

Overview and description

The monastery is located on a hill several kilometers to the northeast of Kutaisi. It also overlooks the Tskaltsitela Gorge. It is constructed of solid stone, with full archways. The plan of the main monastery was designed in the shape of a cross, the symbol of Jesus's crucifixion and of Christianity. The monastery was designed to be visible over much of the country, with its stone walls constructed to reflect sunlight. There are archways throughout the monastery, including the bell tower.

History

Construction began on the Gelati Monastery in 1106, under the direction of King David IV of Georgia, at which time Kutaisi was the capital of Georgia. Among its notable scholars were Ioane Petritsi, who translated several classics of philosophy but is best known for his commentaries on Proclus; and Arsen Ikaltoeli, known for his Dogmatikon, or book of teachings, influenced by Aristotle. The Gelati Academy employed scribes to compile manuscript copies of important works, and people of the time called it "a new Hellas" and "a second Athos".

Art

Triptychs

Triptychs were popular during the Byzantine Empire and important in Georgian culture. The triptychs represented another form of contribution to the church. Triptychs were a form of iconography for the congregation.

One of the most valuable icons housed in the monastery was the Khakhuli triptych, which was enshrined in the Gelati Monastery from the 12th century until being stolen in 1859. Although returned in 1923, it was in a reduced condition.

Mosaics

thumb|left|Sanctuary apse Virgin Mary mosaics (12th century) and murals (16th century). Gelati Monastery

The interiors of the monastery hold mosaics in classic Byzantine style illustrating aspects of Christian belief. The largest, a 12th-century masterpiece depicting the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, dominates the apse of the main church, and is an artwork of cultural importance in Georgia. Above the altar is situated a statue of the Virgin Mary, looking down at the baby Jesus she is holding.

Conservation

In 1994, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, together with Bagrati Cathedral under a single listing. but halted when the roof of the academy building was replaced by Georgian conservators.

Burials

  • Demetrius I of Georgia
  • David IV of Georgia
  • David V of Georgia
  • Solomon I of Imereti
  • Solomon II of Imereti
  • George III of Georgia
  • Vakhtang II of Georgia
  • Bagrat V of Georgia
  • Bagrat VI of Georgia
  • Bagrat III of Imereti
  • David IX of Georgia
  • George V of Georgia
  • Alexander II of Imereti
  • George of Chqondidi
  • Tamar of Georgia

<gallery>

Image:Kutaisi, Gelati Monastery Fresco.jpg|The Maundy, mural

Image:Gelati fresco 04.JPG|The Lamentation of Christ, mural

Image:Gelati fresco 03.JPG|The [[Palm Sunday, mural

Image:Georgia Gelati monastery near Kutaisi church of Virgin Mary the Blessed mural of Christ on ceiling of the central dome XII century.JPG|Gelati monastery, church of Virgin Mary the Blessed. Mural of Christ Pantokrator on ceiling of the central dome (12th century)

Image:Gelati Monastery, Cathedral of the Virgin (35923031712).jpg|Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed, mosaic and mural in the apse depicting Theotokos, Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Arc de Triomphe

Image:Georgia, Imereti, Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural on north wall. Queen Rusudan, Prince Bagrat, King George II, Queen Helen, King Bagrat III of Imereti, Catholicos Yevclemon Chetidze, David the Builder.jpg|Gelati monastery, Church of Virgin the Blessed. Mural on north wall. From left to right: Queen Rusudan, Prince Bagrat, King George II, Queen Helen, King Bagrat III of Imereti, Catholicos Yevdemon Chetidze, David the Builder

Image:Gelati fresco 05.JPG|Frescoes in the cathedral

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (44).jpg|Frescoes in the cathedral

Image:Frescoes in chapel. Gelati monastery, Kutaisi, Georgia.jpg|Frescoes in the cathedral

Image:Gelati Gospels. The Crucifixion.jpg|The Crucifixion in the Medieval Georgian Gospel Manuscript from Gelati

Image:Gelati monastery (July 2012).jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati Monastery, Georgia, Sept. 2007-2.jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati (state.gov).PNG|Shrine in the monastery church

Image:2010-04-02 Klosteranlage Gelati (Georgien).jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati monastery (4).jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati monastery (3).jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati Monastery 2.jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati Monastery 1.jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:Gelati Monastery 4.jpg|Gelati Monastery

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (02).jpg|St. George church

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (10).jpg|St. Nicholas church

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (08).jpg|Belfry

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (19).jpg|Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin

Image:2014 Imeretia, Gelati, Monastyr Gelati (07).jpg|Portal in the cathedral

Image:Georgia Tondo StMamai 11th century.jpg|Tondo of Saint Mammes from Gelati Monastery, 14th–15th centuries

</gallery>

See also

  • Culture of Georgia
  • Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
  • Motsameta monastery
  • World Heritage Sites in Danger

References

; Attribution

  • Adapted from the Wikinfo article Gelati Monastery by Levan Urushadze, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Further reading

  • Gelati Monastery—UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  • Byzantine Art at Le site sur l'Art Roman en Bourgogne