Martvili Monastery

Martvili Monastery (Georgian: მარტვილის მონასტერი) is a Georgian monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in the Martvili District of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare) of Georgia. It sits upon the highest hill in the vicinity and was of strategic importance.

Martvili Monastery
მარტვილის მონასტერი
The Martvili monastic complex.
Religion
AffiliationGeorgian Orthodox Church
RegionCaucasus
StatusActive
Location
LocationMartvili, Martvili District, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare),  Georgia
Shown within Georgia
Geographic coordinates42.4053°N 42.3778°E / 42.4053; 42.3778
Architecture
TypeMonastic complex
StyleGeorgian; Monastery
FounderAndrew
Funded byRebuilt by King Giorgi II, 10th century
Groundbreaking1st/7th century?
CompletedOriginal construction of Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral, late 7th century; rebuilt 10th century

History

The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the Samegrelo region.

The main Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral (Mingrelian: Chkoni translates to "oak") was reconstructed in the 10th century after invasions that destroyed the prior church. Preserved in the church are frescoes of the 14th to 17th centuries.

  • Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral floorplan
  • Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral
  • Cathedral drum and dome

See also

References

Bibliography
  • Beridze, F. (1974), Old Georgian Architecture, Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Chubinashvili, C. (1936), Georgian Art History, Vol. 1, Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Beradze, H.; L. Menabde (1983), Choir, Vol. 6, Tbilisi, Georgia, p. 458
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