Frescoes of Ninotsminda Cathedral

Ninotsminda Cathedral is highly significant to the development of Georgian architecture, as it predates Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta, and served as a model
for the development of the later tetraconch (four-apse) form. The site is ruins today, with only the eastern apse and a portion of the western wall remaining. The ruined aspe is decorated with 16th century frescos of the Hodegetria, severely vandalised with bullet holes from Dagestani bandits in the 18th and 19th centuries. Outlines of the foundations indicate that the church originally had an octagonal center, surrounded by corner niches. Historical records indicate that restoration work was undertaken in the 10th and 11th centuries, and also during 1671 and 1774. However, the cathedral collapsed during earthquakes in 1824 and 1848 and was not reconstructed.
The large brick belltower within the same complex dates from the reign of King Levan of Kakheti (1520-1574). The lower three stories served as a residence, each floor with a fireplace. The staggered placement of bricks on the exterior façade to form geometric patterns indicates the cultural influence of Safavid Persia, as does the pointed arch over the entrance.
The Ninotsminda complex is surrounded by a fortification, with corner towers and
a crenalated curtain wall, dating from the 16th-17th centuries. The fortified entrance gate has protruding towers with beehive machicolations.
The complex is currently operated as a nunnery by the Georgian Orthodox Church,
and reconstruction work in underway.

Tags:   georgia caucasus travel tourism photography photo

© All Rights Reserved

Dnamisi's archaeological site.

Dmanisi is the name of a very old archaeological site located in the Caucausus
of the Republic of Georgia, about 85 kilometers southwest of the modern town of
Tbilisi, beneath a medieval castle near the junction of the Masavera and Pinezaouri rivers.
Four hominid fossils, thousands of extinct animal bones and bone fragments, and
over 1000 stone tools were found buried in 2-4.5 meters of alluvium. The stratigraphy of the site indicates that the hominid and vertebrate remains, and the stone tools, were laid into the cave by geological, rather than cultural causes.
The pleistocene layers have been securely dated between 1.0-1.8 million years ago; the types of animals discovered within the cave support the early part of that range. Two nearly complete hominid skulls were found, and they most likely represent early Homo ergaster/Homo erectus. They appear to be most like African H. erectus, as in Koobi Fora or West Turkana, although some debate exists. In 2008, the lowest levels were redated to 1.8 mya, and upper levels to 1.07 mya. The stone artifacts are suggestive of Oldowan chopping tool tradition, similar to tools from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania; and similar to Ubeidiya, Israel. Dmanisi has implications for the original peopling of Europe and Asia by H. erectus, in that the path from Africa to the rest of the world may be postulated via a "Levantine corridor".

Tags:   georgia caucasus travel tourism photography photo

© All Rights Reserved

Sighnaghi, Georgia.

One of the earliest settlements in the country, Sighnaghi is considered to be one of the most attractive towns in the Kakheti egion in Eastern Georgia.

With its medieval city walls and parks, with its charming old quarter dating from the 18th century, unspoiled by soviet civilisation, it certainly does have character.

Tags:   georgia caucasus kakheti travel tourism photography photo

© All Rights Reserved

The Georgian Military Highway (cross at Jvari Pass).

Built by the Russians in the 19th century the "Georgian Military Road," the only pass-road across the wild mountains that can be used by cars, has been celebrated in Russian poetry since the late 19th century. It is a spectacular drive at any time of the year - but most impressive during spring time, when the sheep are being driven across the snow covered mountains. It runs between Tbilisi (Georgia) and Vladikavkaz (Russia) and follows the traditional route used by invaders and traders throughout the ages. The road reaches an altitude of 2379 meters (7815 feet) as it traverses the mountains.

Tags:   georgia caucasus travel tourism photography photo

© All Rights Reserved

Sioni cathedral at Bolnisi.

Bolnisi is the home of one of the oldest Christian churches in the country of Georgia. It is commonly known as Bolnisi Sioni (Sioni being Georgian for Zion and a designation used by many of their churches). This church dates to the 4th century AD and features some pagan elements in its stonework. The original roof is missing but has been replaced with a modern covering.
.

Tags:   georgia caucasus travel tourism photography photo

© All Rights Reserved