Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery

Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery
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Bagrati Cathedral is the 11th-century cathedral church in the city of Kutaisi. The cathedral, now in ruins, has gone down as a masterpiece in the history of medieval Georgian architecture.

The Gelati Monastery (near Kutaisi) was founded in 1106. It remained for a long time one of the main cultural and enlightening centers in old Georgia. It had an Academy which employed the most celebrated Georgian scientists, theologians and philosophers. The Gelati Monastery has preserved a great number of murals and manuscripts dating back to the 12th-17th centuries.

Year Decision Comments
1994 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

Paul Tanner (UK):
The “double headed” WHS of “Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery” consists of a ruined (in 1691 by the Turks) Cathedral of the 10th to 11th centuries in the town of Kutaisi and a (still functioning) monastery complex built between the 12th to 17 centuries situated in the countryside some 12kms away.

Apart from the geographical proximity and the fact that, taken together, the 2 buildings represent a long and continuous period of Georgian religious architecture, I know of no reason why they are linked together in a single WHS.

Even in “shell” form the cathedral is an enormous building. It is named after Bagrat III the first king of united Georgia and is no doubt of considerable architectural interest. I also understand the comments made by another reviewer about the open roof not necessarily detracting from its religious impact (UNESCO has severely criticised the idea, apparently floated in the early 90’s, presumably as some sort of “Georgian independence celebration”, of rebuilding the Cathedral!). I however did not find the building and its setting particularly inspiring.

I personally far preferred the Gelati complex. It is beautifully set in countryside of woods and fields of greenest hue. A stream runs through the grounds and the ensemble of 2 main buildings complement each other superbly. The interior contains many fine mosaics and frescos. We had the place to ourselves.
 
Warren Dent (USA):
Bagrati Cathedral was a beautiful experience. Our church plans a mission trip every year to the Republic of Georgia to help out orphanges and we always visit Bagrati Cathedral because it is such a beautiful place. We do not have anything like this in the USA. I was so impressed with the architecture and at night our group went up there at sunset and we took candles because there is no electricity. What an awsome experience. We met many native Georgians that night and made many new friends. This will be a place we will always return to because of the many wonderful memories there. I found this quote that I thought was very fitting to Bagrati.

C. S. Lewis once said “that all churches should be roofless, for this very reason: worshipers would be overcome by the world God has fashioned rather than shut up in their man-made boxes.”

Warren Dent
Atlanta, Georgia
 


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