Built into stone – the monastery entrance in Kakheti

photo rights reserved by Ben

The David Gareja Monastery Complex is one of the most unique and historically significant religious sites in Georgia. Located in the Kakheti Kartli region, near the border with Azerbaijan, it is carved into the rocks of a rugged, semi-desert landscape. The monastery was founded in the 6th century by David Garejeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who helped spread Christianity in Georgia. Over the centuries, the complex grew into an important center of religion, art, and scholarship, especially during the medieval period. Despite being repeatedly plundered — by Mongols, Persians, and others — it has always retained its spiritual significance. The complex includes several parts, such as Lavra, the oldest section still inhabited by monks, Udabno, a group of cave monasteries higher up the slopes with centuries-old frescoes, and Bertubani and Chichkhituri, more remote areas with watchtowers, chapels, and hermit cells. All of it is hewn from soft sandstone cliffs, forming a striking fusion of natural form and human devotion. Because the monastery lies on the border, it has become a point of political tension between Georgia and Azerbaijan, as part of the site lies on Azerbaijani territory. Atop the hill Georgian soldiers are patrolling. David Gareja is not only important for its religious and historical value, but also offers a rare opportunity to explore active cave monasteries. From the complex, one can enjoy breathtaking views over the vast, silent semi-desert plains stretching to the horizon.

Perched on the windswept borderlands of Georgia and Azerbaijan, the David Gareja Monastery stands carved into sandstone cliffs. This photo shows one of the entrances to the Monastery complex. This particular entrance belongs to the Lavra Monastery, the oldest and still active part of the complex. The entrance is carved into the soft sandstone slope and is flanked by a simple but sturdy stone facade. The structure reflects the austere monastic architecture of the monastery: functional, earthy, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The door leads to a network of caves, cells, and chapels, partly hidden in the rock face. What makes this entrance special is how naturally it blends into the rock, almost as if the monastery grew out of the mountain itself — which perfectly reflects the spiritual and aesthetic intention of the early monks. In this silence, with only the wind and the rock, it is like stepping into another time..

Het David Gareji-kloostercomplex is een van de meest bijzondere en historische religieuze locaties in Georgië. Het ligt in de regio Kakheti, tegen de grens met Azerbeidzjan, en is uitgehouwen in de rotsen van een ruig, halfwoestijnachtig landschap. Het klooster werd in de 6e eeuw gesticht door David Garejeli. Het complex groeide uit tot een belangrijk centrum van religie, kunst en wetenschap, vooral in de middeleeuwen. In latere eeuwen werd het meerdere keren geplunderd (onder andere door Mongolen en Perzen, maar het behield altijd zijn spirituele betekenis. Het kloostercomplex bestaat uit Lavra-klooster – het oudste deel, nog steeds bewoond door monniken, Udabno – hogerop gelegen grotkloosters met eeuwenoude muurschilderingen en Bertubani en Chichkhituri – meer afgelegen gedeelten met wachttorens, kapellen en cellen. Het hele complex is uitgehouwen in de zachte rotswanden, wat een indrukwekkende combinatie oplevert van natuurlijke vorm en menselijke devotie. Op deze foto zie je één van de ingangen van het kloostercomplex. Deze specifieke toegang behoor tot het Lavra-klooster, het oudste en nog actieve deel van het complex. De ingang is uitgehouwen in de zachte zandstenen helling en wordt geflankeerd door een eenvoudige, maar robuuste stenen gevel. De structuur weerspiegelt de sobere, monastieke architectuur van het klooster: functioneel, aards, en in harmonie met het omliggende landschap. De ligging van het kloostercomplex op de grens zorgt soms voor politieke spanningen tussen Georgië en Azerbeidzjan: een deel van het terrein ligt op Azerbeidzjaans grondgebied. Boven op de berg patroueren Georgian soldaten. David Gareja is niet alleen van religieus of historisch belang, maar biedt ook een unieke kans om rotskloosters te verkennen die nog steeds in gebruik zijn. Vanaf het klooster kun je genieten van Adembenemende uitzichten over de semi-woestijnvlakten.

Taken in: Georgia / David Gareja (show map)

Taken on: October 23, 2023

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Camera: Canon EOS 6D, f/5.0, 1/100 sec, 31mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 6D
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.01 sec (1/100)
Focal Length:	31mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	PaintShop Pro 24,00
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