We booked the evening before so we really appreciated being accommodated at the last minute. We visited the amazing ones in Batumi so were keen to see these too. Let's travel together. Bagrati Cathedral, Kutaisi - Book Tickets & Tours There's not a great deal of things to do in Kutaisi but it's definitely worth spending a day or two in Kutaisi during your trip to Georgia. It was created by Azerbaijani master Ibrahim ibn Osman and was originally part of a large fortress with six gates which served to protect Ganja. They depict the third and fourth Ecumenical Councils, which met in the fifth century, and are interesting for the stylistic insights they provide and as documentation of church history and politics. There is a plaque in the front of the building where you can read (in Georgian and English) about the history of the building and get a greater understanding of the Jewish community in Georgia. Nearly all rulers of united Georgia are buried there: Demetre I, George III and presumably Queen Tamara. Add Location About these numbers Photos No additional photos. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. GELATI MONASTERY (Motsameta) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This is at least what some locals are saying. Gelati Monastery Georgia, Europe Top choice in Western Georgia This Unesco World Heritage-listed monastery complex, on a wooded hillside 8km northeast of Kutaisi, is an outstanding example of Golden Age architecture and one of Georgia's most important churches. Explore the 12th-century structure with its academy buildings and the main cathedral. The murals in the dome date from the 12th century and are signed by an artist named Tevdore. All around is mountains and it's sorrounded by river somehow. Gelati Monastery (Motsameta) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This small museum houses a couple of rooms filled with artefacts from throughout Kutaisis history, dating from bronze-age tools to medieval icons to 19th-century wine labels. After Imeretian kingdom joined Russia Gelati ceased to be the church possession and became a state property. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Motsameta Monastery: that is way to find and get to, a short walk from the car park. Hi Monika in general, I wouldnt recommend a day trip to Kutaisi from Tbilisi. Gelati is very impressive. The plastic arts also were by no means neglected at Gelati. Because of the cold temperatures, however, winter is not the ideal season to visit Kutaisi if youre interested in visiting the natural sites in the surrounding Imereti region. Tbilisi to Mtskheta Day Trip: How to Get There & Things to Do, The Ultimate Georgia Itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 weeks. David ordered to arrange a tomb for the representatives of imperial family n the monastery. Were also glad we saw these two before being monastery and churched out. As is common in 11th-century churches in Georgia, the cupola sits on the ends of the walls of the apse in the east and on freestanding massive piers, quadrangles covered in frescoes, in the west. From the Besik Gabashvili Park, you can easily walk the 1 kilometre or grab a taxi to the Bagrati Cathedral, which is one of the main attractions in Kutaisi. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Gelati Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Georgian history is very complex and a lot of mystery surrounds these ancient sites in large part because they have not been able to dedicate resources to it or have not made findings available in languages other than Georgian, so Eva was very forthcoming about the fact that she is still learning something new each visit, and would ask questions on our behalf to the ladies working there. When shes not dreaming of far-away lands, Maggie enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee, Harry Potter, and coaxing stray cats into her home. Here's what the paths looks like (minus the rainbow magic, that was something on the lens! Gelati Monastery is located in the Imereti region, 11 km from the city of Kutaisi. This is one of the most beloved images in Georgia. Perhaps of greatest interest is the portrait of King David the Builder on the eastern portion of the north wall in the main church. The cathedral is situated 11 km westwards from Kutaisi. Would be staying in Tbilisi. - Walk down to the main road from Gelati, Turn left. Gelati Monastery and Academy, is a historical monument from 12th c. The complex was founded by an iconic king of Georgia - David IV the Builder in 1106, during the period of the most flourishing historical period in medieval Georgia-the Golden Age. We are going to one of the largest cities in Georgia - the city . End your second day in Kutaisi having an unforgettable meal at Tomas Wine Cellar. Do as the locals do: Sit in the city centre park (Central Garden) and watch the world pass by. Subscribe to our newsletter now to stay up to date on our travels. Because of this and some weather constraints when we were in Kutaisi, we werent able to visit these canyons, but we hope to make it in the future. The monastery was founded by David the Builder in 1106. Entry into the canyon is 15GEL per person. Learn about the monastery's history and its relation to Georgia's golden age. You need to book in advance and there is no menu, however, it stands as one of the best meals of our lives and its something you absolutely cannot miss if you want to really experience Georgian cuisine. We just fell in love with this monastery. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. The Bus for Gelati can drop you off at the turn off for Motsameta. For more information, see our privacy policy. Kutaisi to Gelati Monastery - one way to travel via taxi, and foot Eva is simply the best guide ever! We were even treated to the sword play and singing as one of the many bridal parties entered the monastery. Location is not easy to reach and it's not famous like other Churches/Monasteries. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The second day in Kutaisi sees you heading out of the city to explore some of the attractions in the greater Imereti region. We had a lovely time with Eva visiting these three very contrasting and beautiful monasteries in Kutaisi and the vicinity. So great was the influence of the Academy at Gelati that it eclipsed Georgian centers at Athos, the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and Petritsoni in Bulgaria. Explore different ways to experience this place. Find all the transport options for your trip from Kutaisi Airport to Gelati Monastery right here. However, the pride of the church (and one of Georgia's greatest works of art) is a remarkable mosaic (containing 2.5 million stones) in the apse, of the Virgin and Child with the archangels Michael and Gabriel; created in the 1130s in a Byzantine style with specifically Georgian features, it was damaged by earthquakes later in the same century and subsequently. The lower register of the south wall has portraits of King Giorgi of Imereti with his family. What hotels are near Motsameta Monastery? Theres a lot of them in Georgia and so far these are our two favourites. David granted it enormous grounds and generous treasures the trophies of the victorious wars. What is the distance between Gelati Monastery and Kutaisi? If you only have two days in the city, it is possible to visit the caves and monasteries mentioned in day 2 and the canyons mentioned today in one full day. Only one half of the gate remains and an inscription in Arabic states the circumstances of its arrival in Gelati. He brought back Ganja Gate as a trophy and gifted it to Gelati Monastery. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. New Testament scenes are combined with scenes from the life of St. George and historical figures, tavadi or princes, of western Georgia. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Hope you have a great time! After visiting the Motsmeta Monastery, its time to head to perhaps the most famous monastery in all of Georgia, the Gelati Monastery. He translated numerous philosophical works from Greek into Georgian and is widely credited with the development of philosophy in his country. Turn left and cross the river, keep going until you reach the supermarket on your left. Travels of a Bookpacker are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Booking.com Affiliate Partner Program. In Kutaisi as in Tbilisi, a look up to the second floor can reveal balconies of elaborate ironwork. Further churches were added to the monastery throughout the 13th and early 14th centuries. Address: the village of Gelati, Tkibuli municipality www.google.com/maps Opening hours: every day, 09:00 - 18:00 Free admission. But the views of the city also make it a top spot to enjoy the sunset. It is located 11 km from the city of Kutaisi and is under UNESCO protection as an object of cultural and historical legacy. The centre piece is an armoured horse because who doesnt need a big one of those in the middle of town. Beautiful monastery located on a high clifftop which gives a spectacular view onto the horseshoe-bended river below and the dense green forest. Visiting all of these sites should likely only take about half of the day, so if you want to get a late lunch back in Kutaisi, we recommend heading to grab some delicious Khinkali at El Depo. Buses to Tqibuli from Kutaisi-1 station (8am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 4.30pm) also pass the Motsameta turning and the turning for Gelati (from which its an uphill walk of a little over 2km to the monastery). After lunch, head over to the White Bridge. After visiting the park and the fountain, it will likely be a good time for lunch. Thank you, Jennifer! AU$1,104.03. Gelati Monastery, Imereti - Book Tickets & Tours We read that the train tracks were disused but evidence suggests otherwise. There are areas to walk on the side of the tracks but we found the straight down the middle method most effective. How to get from Gelati Monastery to Kutaisi by taxi or foot Some scholars believe that the positioning of the Academy with a long north-south axis was a means of emphasizing its secular function and thereby distinguishing it from the holy status of the church wilh its elongated east-west longitudinal axis. This article tells you everything you should know if youre planning a road trip in Georgia. Beyond this, to the west looking out over the valley (in good weather it's possible to see to the Black Sea), are the recently restored buildings erected in 1106 by King David to house the academy of Neo-platonist metaphysical philosophy under Ioanne Petrisi; the portico, with four different types of column, was added in the 13th century. While many tourists might think that this small city isnt worth visiting, there are those too who wonder what to do in Kutaisi. If it happens to be running when you visit, a trip costs 17.25GEL per person. These structures replaced an ambulatory that had originally been designed to wrap around three sides but was never executed. You can take a marshrutka in a city center to Gelati, then walk to Motsameta around 1 km or ask somebody to lift you there. There are some headscarves at the entrance. Kutaisi Airport (KUT) to Gelati Monastery There is no trail or short-cut. All rights reserved, Virtual guide to Caucasus and Central Asiaincluding Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other countries. Walk east along the main road. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps . Only your group will participate. According to historical sources, in 1138-39 King David's successor, Demetre I, conquered the city of Ganja (in present-day Azerbaijan). Your Guide to Planning for a Balkan Road Trip: Route, Budget and Tips, Mestia to Ushguli Trek: Everything you Need to Know, Driving in Georgia: Road Trip Guide and Tips. The cross in their midst iconographically establishes his pre-eminence as the archetypal Christian ruler. 4. Not far from the Green Bazaar lies the Kutaisi Synagogue. While most visitors to Georgia set their sites on the cosmopolitan capital of Tbilisi or to mountain towns like Kazbegi, it is highly likely that they arrived at Kutaisi airport, in Georgias third-largest city. You can also pre-book tours online such as this guided tour that visits the sites outlined on day 2 of our itinerary as well as a walking tour of Kutaisi.