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.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Akhaltsikhe, Georgia
See all sites in Akhaltsikhe

Details

Founded: 9th century AD
Category: Religious sites in Georgia

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.