Tribute to the sights of Georgia. Churches.

They say in Georgia there is very beautiful nature, good wine, hospitable people... but when you come here, you will definitely be told about its ancient history (which is quite impressive when you compare what they were doing here, when Baltic tribes were just cutting forests to make some space in the North!:) One thing you will surely hear is that Georgia has been the stronghold of Christianity for centuries. No wonder it is so important here: surrounded by Persian and Ottoman empires Georgians had to fight for survival - and thus Christianity became one of the core features of Georgian identity.

I was surprised to see people on the bus and in the street making a sign of cross when they pass the church. And I was really shocked when I saw a group of teenagers coming from a football game to quit their conversation, line up in front of a monastery, make sign of cross and continue their way. Would you see that in Lithuania? Or in Western Europe?

But this entry is not about religiosity. It is about religious sights - beautiful ancient (and newly built) churches, of a distinguished style, buried saints inside them, some of them - with monasteries, with peace and quite around. If you are a tourist in Georgia, you just simply won't have a chance to miss it, as it is the first sight where all tourist info booklets and offices and local advisers will lead you. Bellow - sharing some impressions of mine.

A church in the mountains of Kartli (?), not far from Gori. I should ask to remind more information about it, but this sight stuck in my memory, like a separate world, where nothing bad happens.

There is a Bethlehem quarter in old Tbilisi, where you can make the whole circle up and down the hill, passing little private yards, curving streets, stairs and several churches. This is one of them - with pretty nice view from it.

Metekhi church. One of the highlights of Tbilisi. Here it is already lit for the night, and is well visible from another side of the river Mtkvari (yes yes, 4 syllables!..) There is kind David the Builder standing in front of it, reminding of the legend how Tbilisi was built.

This is the old Jvari up on the hill (hah, would be a mountain for any proper Lithuanian!), near Mtskheta, old capital of Georgia. To this shrine many people come not only for praying, but also for enjoying the views of the valleys around.

These are the views I just mentioned. Pretty enjoyable, huh?! Down there you can see Mtskheta, the old capital town, with one of the oldest and the biggest churches - Svetitskhoveli. Despite the unpronouncable name, it is really beautiful.

St. Nino's monastery, near Sighnaghi, in the Eastern Georgia Kakheti region. So far this is my favorite monastery, as there is such a peaceful atmosphere in there, you can feel it in the air. There is also a holy spring here.

Ananuri church. I am not sure if it works now, although it is open sometimes. It is on the way from Tbilisi to mountain resorts, and all the time passing it I'm thinking that there is something not done here, not finished. This amazing fortress and church is a picturesque place could be such an attraction for people - but there is not much else developed around (only a few kiosks for folk arts and souvenirs + you can make a photo with Georgian shepherd's clothes!:) So, any ideas, anybody?

That is how it looks form inside. Picture a bit blurry, but shows the style of the icons - and the altar is behind this wall.

The list appeared almost chronological, as this is church is actually new. No over-modern glass and bricks thing - Georgians kept their old style of building churches for their new Cathedral. There are no fresco there yet, as some time must pass until one can paint it. But the grandness (it is the biggest church in Georgia now!) and the surroundings are impressive - recommend not to miss it if you are to visit Tbilisi.