chapels of Tbilisi and kakheti route:Tbilisi, David gareja, Alaverdi, Ninocmina, Telavi, Ikalto Day 1: Tbilisi city tour on this day you will visit religious monuments of Tbilisi: Sameba cathedral - the main Georgian Orthodox Christian cathedral, Constructed between 1995 and 2004; Sachino Palace with convent - this was the "summer palace" of Queen Darejan; Metekhi temple - King Vakhtang I Gorgasali erected here a church and a fort which served also as a king’s residence; hence comes the name Metekhi which dates back to the 12th century and literally means “the area around the palace”; Saint Abos church - Iraqi by origin, Abo grew up Muslim in Baghdad. At the age of seventeen or eighteen, he found himself in Tbilisi,Abo's profession in Baghdad was that of a perfumer, in which he excelled as maker of fine perfumes and ointments,he became convinced of Christianity, . In 786 he was denounced as a Christian to the Arab officials in Tbilisi, arrested and tried for being a renegade from Islam. He confessed his faith at trial, was imprisoned, and martyred on January 6, 786.his was burnt where this church stands. Mosque - built in 1895 and the only mosque in Tbilisi that survived Lavrenty Beria’s antireligious purges of the 1930s. Unusually, Shiite and Sunni Muslims pray together here. The interior is prettily frescoed and visitors are welcome to enter (after removing shoes). Narikala fortress with saint Nicolas church - The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., "Invidious Fort"). Higher Bethlehem Holy Mother of God - Built as an Armenian church in the 18th century, on the site of an older church, it now operates as a Georgian orthodox church. Lower Bethlehem - The Surf- Stephanoz or so to say the St. Stephanoz nunnery was founded by the Armenians , immigrated from Iran , in 1725-1727 on the very place and they constructed a small chapel as well. Ateshgah - The ancient worship place , known as Ateshga, Long ago a fire temple stood on the very place and its name derived from “ ateshgah” ( place of fire in Persian) in the evening dinner at the traditional Georgian restaurant with Georgian cuisine. |
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Day 2: route:chapels of Tbilisi
day starts with walking up to Mount Tabor with it's monastery; then you will go down and visit: Anchiskhati Basilica - the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha); Sioni - The former Cathedral of VI-XIII cc. with the wall painting of XIX-XX cc;
Synagogues - known as the Great Synagogue. It was founded by Jews from Akhalcikhe, who settled in Tbilisi in the late 19th century, hence its second name, “synagogue of the people of Akhalcikhe”. also you will see new synagogue;
Catholic Church - Tbilisi Virgin Mary Church Long is the history before the church was built, which starts from the XIII century when mission of Catholics started their activities in Georgia.
Alexander Neveli Church - In 1240 the Dominican monks founded a monastery and in 1328 John the Baptizer cathedral was constructed and Tbilisi episcopacy was being founded that halted its functioning in the 16th century. The Catholic missioners returning to Georgia in the 17th century.
and Saint Peter and Paul catholic church - was built in 1870-1877 with the order of Konstantine Zubalashvili, the head of Roman-catholic parish and the supporter. The Roman Pope Paul the II visiting Georgia in 1999 performed the mass in st.Peter and Paul church.
dinner and free time
Day 3: route:Tbilisi-Gurjaani-Telavi-Davit Greja-Tbilisi (400 km)
drive to Kakheti region on the way you will have opportunity to see how Georgian bread is baking in Tone
then visit the following religious monuments in Kakheti: Davit Gareja is cave Georgian Orthodox monastery on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face.The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli);
Ninocminda monastery – the first church was built in V-VI century and it was the first cross dombed church in Georgia, today there is the remnants of the first temple, 4 stored bell tower and new small basilica;
Gurjaani church of All Saints - the only two-domed church in Georgia. (VIII c.);
Telavi – the capital of Kakheti, Old and New Shuamta
Alaverdi monastery – Was founded by Assyrian monk Joseph in VI, but today’s church was erected in XI – century; Ikalto - the church-chapels of VI-XIII cc. and the greatest Academy of X-XIII cc;
traditional Kakhetian supra with national cuisine;
Arrival in Tbilisi
day starts with walking up to Mount Tabor with it's monastery; then you will go down and visit: Anchiskhati Basilica - the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha); Sioni - The former Cathedral of VI-XIII cc. with the wall painting of XIX-XX cc;
Synagogues - known as the Great Synagogue. It was founded by Jews from Akhalcikhe, who settled in Tbilisi in the late 19th century, hence its second name, “synagogue of the people of Akhalcikhe”. also you will see new synagogue;
Catholic Church - Tbilisi Virgin Mary Church Long is the history before the church was built, which starts from the XIII century when mission of Catholics started their activities in Georgia.
Alexander Neveli Church - In 1240 the Dominican monks founded a monastery and in 1328 John the Baptizer cathedral was constructed and Tbilisi episcopacy was being founded that halted its functioning in the 16th century. The Catholic missioners returning to Georgia in the 17th century.
and Saint Peter and Paul catholic church - was built in 1870-1877 with the order of Konstantine Zubalashvili, the head of Roman-catholic parish and the supporter. The Roman Pope Paul the II visiting Georgia in 1999 performed the mass in st.Peter and Paul church.
dinner and free time
Day 3: route:Tbilisi-Gurjaani-Telavi-Davit Greja-Tbilisi (400 km)
drive to Kakheti region on the way you will have opportunity to see how Georgian bread is baking in Tone
then visit the following religious monuments in Kakheti: Davit Gareja is cave Georgian Orthodox monastery on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja. The complex includes hundreds of cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face.The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli);
Ninocminda monastery – the first church was built in V-VI century and it was the first cross dombed church in Georgia, today there is the remnants of the first temple, 4 stored bell tower and new small basilica;
Gurjaani church of All Saints - the only two-domed church in Georgia. (VIII c.);
Telavi – the capital of Kakheti, Old and New Shuamta
Alaverdi monastery – Was founded by Assyrian monk Joseph in VI, but today’s church was erected in XI – century; Ikalto - the church-chapels of VI-XIII cc. and the greatest Academy of X-XIII cc;
traditional Kakhetian supra with national cuisine;
Arrival in Tbilisi