Sapara Monastery, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia

Sapara Monastery has existed from at least the 9th century, and has numbered among its monks many important figures in Georgian ecclesiastical history. At the end of the 13th century Sapara became a possession of the Jakeli family, whose leader, Sargis Jakeli, was adept at staying on good terms with the Mongols, which enabled Samtskhe to enjoy a peace unusual for the time. When he grew old, Sargis took monastic orders and changed his name to Saba. His son Beka built the largest of the 12 churches here, St Saba's Church, named after the saint whose name his father had adopted, one of the most architecturally important churches of its time. The 14th-century frescoes inside are of high quality.

From the end of the 16th century until the beginning of the 17th century the Sapara Monastery became empty due to the expansion of Turkish policy into Samtskhe and during this process the monastery's icons and other treasures were taken to more protected areas of Georgia.

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User Reviews

Nate Allen (4 years ago)
What very well could be the most beautiful monastery in all of Georgia ???⛪ I absolutely adore this monastery not just because of the beautiful frescoes but also because the priests were burning some heavy incense which provided some amazing lighting effects coming through the domed windows ??? Another thing I also really loved about this monastery was the clergy were working with bees to produce honey and pollinate the local plant life. These bee boxes were just next to the monasteries bell tower full of handcrafted bells which were also quite beautiful in and of themselves ? The ride out here on the motorcycle is absolutely fabulous cutting through the mountains on super tight technical twisties but with brand new pavement it's an absolute dream ?️???? Really enjoyed the afternoon out here surrounded in nature and religious beauty ???

Nino Meskhidze (4 years ago)
Monastery in very beautiful green fortress with amaizing views

Marinka Tsitsishvili (4 years ago)
Great Monastery, a historical place with a great and calm aura

Nika Kapanadze (4 years ago)
Best place in Samtskhe-Javakheti

Tinatin Kemularia (4 years ago)
Mysterious, beautiful, calm, magic place

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Sapara Monastery

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