Timotesubani Monastery

Tsaghveri, Georgia

Timotesubani is a medieval Georgian Orthodox Christian monastic complex located at the eponymous village in the Borjomi Gorge.

The complex consists of a series of structures built between the 11th and 18th centuries, of which the Church of the Dormition is the largest and artistically most exquisite edifice constructed during the 'Golden Age' of medieval Georgia under Queen Tamar (r. 1184-1213). A contemporary inscription commemorates the Georgian nobleman Shalva of Akhaltsikhe as a patron of the church.

The church is a domed cross-in-square design built of pink stone, with three apses projecting on the east. Its dome rests upon the two freely standing pillars and ledges of the altar. Later, two – the western and southern – portals were added.

The interior was extensively frescoed in no later than 1220s. The Timotesubani murals are noted for their vivacity and complexity of iconographic program. These frescoes were cleaned and studied by E. Privalova and colleagues in the 1970s and underwent emergency treatment and conservation with aid from the World Monuments Fund and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in the 2000s.

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Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Religious sites in Georgia

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Amiran Batsikadze (6 months ago)
The complex consists of a series of structures built between the 11th and 18th centuries, of which the Church of the Dormition is the largest and artistically most exquisite edifice constructed during the "Golden Age" of medieval Georgia under Queen Tamar (r. 1184–1213). A contemporary inscription commemorates the Georgian nobleman Shalva of Akhaltsikhe as a patron of the church.
Victor Yankovsky (3 years ago)
Def worth spending 2-3 hours, should you stay in Bakuriani, counting a bit bumpy road on the way there. Historical note can be read in the books, and I’ve quite liked the aura of the place! Peaceful, meditating in its silence. The monastery itself has been under renovation but it doesn’t bother one. After spending time in the church itself, it’s nice visiting a church store to buy local/religious artifacts.
Suna (3 years ago)
What a beautiful place. The road there is a bit bumpy but worth a visit. Beautiful church and surroundings. Church of the Virgin Mary 12-13th century
George Isaev (3 years ago)
The old peaceful monastery, as my friend said once: 'In Germany a lot of church where you can feel a hand of mastership, but here you can feel a hand of God'
Raghavendra Shetti (3 years ago)
Nice place this very old church I was seen some history
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