Ikalto Monastery, Ikalto, Georgia

Ikalto monastery was founded by Saint Zenon, one of the 13 Syrian Fathers, in the late 6th century. It was known as one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centres of Georgia. An academy was founded at the monastery during king David the Builder by Arsen Ikaltoeli (Ikaltoeli meaning from Ikalto) in the early 12th century. The Academy of Ikalto trained its students in theology, rhetoric, astronomy, philosophy, geography, geometry chanting but also more practical skills such as pottery making, metal work, viticulture and wine making and pharmacology. According to a legend the famous 12th century Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli studied there.

There are three churches on the monastery grounds – Khvtaeba, Kvelatsminda and Sameba. The main church, Khvtaeba (Holy Spirit), was built in the 8th–9th century on the site of an older church (in which Saint Zenon had been buried). In 1616 the Persian invaders led by Shah Abbas I set the Ikalto Academy on fire and it ceased to exist.

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User Reviews

David Svanidze (8 months ago)
The Ikalto monastery was founded by Saint Zenon, one of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, in the late 6th century. It was known as one of the most significant cultural-scholastic centres of Georgia. An academy was founded at the monastery during king David the Builder by Arsen Ikaltoeli (Ikaltoeli meaning from Ikalto), and advisor to David IV, in 1106.

Cindy LIU (12 months ago)
Quiet and calm. The cemetery deserve a visit a stop and a ponder. Sad and shock. No offerns, I respect the souls and would love to know their stories.

lida v (12 months ago)
Beautiful and calm place. Interior is under reconstruction.

Roksolana Zubyk (20 months ago)
A good atmospheric monastery where you can go back in time and feel how people lived here. Here you will see where the most famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli have been studying.

Badri Nadaraia (2 years ago)
Peaceful place. Worth to be visited ?

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