Where Time Stands Still in Tbilisi: Visiting the Historic David Gareji Monastery

Located just outside of Tbilisi, Georgia, the historic David Gareji Monastery is one of the country’s oldest monasteries. Famous for its stunning rock-hewn frescoes and its ancient caves, the monastery is a must-visit for anyone looking for an opportunity to explore the untouched beauty of Tbilisi’s history and culture.Originating as far back as the 6th century AD, the David Gareji Monastery made its debut appearance in Georgian historical documents during the reign of Queen Tamar, who mentioned the monastery in her chronicles. Since then, it has played an important role in Georgian culture and religion, serving as a center of religious activity in the region until the arrival of the Soviet Union in 1921.Today, visitors from all around the world come to the monastery to experience its breathtaking natural beauty and to explore its rich history. From its ancient frescoes and carvings to its intricate frescoes and rock formations, a visit to the David Gareji Monastery is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

A Brief History of David Gareji Monastery

The David Gareji Monastery was established in the 6th century AD in the eastern vicinity of Tbilisi. According to legend, it was founded by one of Christ’s twelve Apostles, Saint David Garejeli (also known as St Anthony). The monastery was named after him, and it is believed that he also resided there and preached Christianity throughout the region.Over time, the monastery complex has grown in size and importance. Initially, it consisted of only a few churches and caves; however, during King David IV’s reign (1089-1125), thirty new caves were added to the original monastery complex. In addition, King David had frescoes painted on the walls of the complex and built numerous structures such as storehouses and workshops. The complex also featured a garden and several cemeteries.During the reign of Queen Tamar, the monastery was enlarged and transformed into a center for religious and spiritual study. Many famous Georgian monk-scholars and religious luminaries lived at the monastery during this era, including Arsen Uchaneishvili (a famous scholar) and Godfrey Iwaneishvili (a renowned spiritual leader). Between the 14th century and 18th centuries, though, the monastery complex experienced a period of decline: due to various political and religious upheavals, monasteries were shut down in many parts of Georgia, and David Gareji was no exception. In 1790, the monastery was restored by Queen Shaorrazma (the last female monarch of Georgia), who also arranged for monastic life to resume at the monastery. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that David Gareji regained its status as a major center of Georgian Orthodox Christianity. During this period, monks from all over Georgia came to study at the monastery, which began to rebuild itself as a major center for prayer and spiritual growth. Since then, David Gareji has experienced many periods of growth and decline. It has stood in defiance of numerous conflicts and skirmishes between neighboring countries, including those between Russia and Georgia (the Russo-Georgian War). In addition, it has withstood numerous invasions and other acts of aggression from within Georgia. Today, while many sections of the monastery are ruined or abandoned, parts of it are still used by local monks as a place of worship.

Exploring David Gareji Monastery

The David Gareji Monastery complex is spread across several mountain ranges in Georgia’s eastern region. Accessible by car or public transport, it can be reached in about two hours from Tbilisi. As one begins their journey along the mountain roads to the monastery complex, they are treated to spectacular panoramic views of Georgia’s valleys, forests and mountains. Once at the site itself, visitors are taken aback by its grandiose scale and intricate details: from its colorful frescoes to its winding network of pathways that lead deep within the mountain caves. The Monastery complex consists of two main areas: Udabno and Lavra. Both Udabno and Lavra are made up of churches that date from various periods throughout Georgian history, as well as numerous cells that form part of an ancient cave monastery. One can also find ancient tombs dotting their journey through these labyrinthine pathways. The most notable feature at David Gareji are its spectacularly intricate frescoes (religious paintings). These frescoes were mainly created between the 9th and 17th centuries AD by Georgian Orthodox artists and are renowned for their vibrancy and fine detail. They depict various aspects of Christian life, including scenes from biblical stories or images related to Christ’s parables. Visitors can also find ancient inscriptions scattered throughout Udabno which provide further insight into its religious past. One can also find many other points at interest around David Gareji Monastery, such as shrines dedicated to numerous Georgian saints, old monastic buildings (which were mainly built during Russia’s reign), resident monks who still maintain monastic life in some parts of the complex, ancient fortified walls (built to protect monasteries during various wars), old cemeteries (pointing to previous residents), and various remains that were part of churches during Georgia’s golden age.

Conclusion

The David Gareji Monastery is a powerful reminder of Georgia’s rich religious past and beautiful culture. Its countless intricacies – including glorious frescoes, ancient pathways, shrines dedicated to saints – offer visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience true serenity amidst nature’s beauty. To experience this spiritual time capsule first-hand, consider booking a tour with GetYourGuide, giving you an unforgettable experience in some of Georgia’s oldest monasteries — where time stands still.