Shato Nekresi

Nekresi is a small, charming monastery on the left bank of the river Alazani, on the hillside of Nekresi mountain. It stands out, as in the eastern side of Alazani valley there had not been much built and what had been built vanished under the Lezgian raids. Nowadays, only the monastery stands on the mountain, however in the past, at the bottom of the mountain, there was a whole city.

In the beginning, the ancient city of Nekresi was situated here. In the VI century, in the vicinity of the city, the monastery was built, which was founded by one of the thirteen Assyrian holy fathers – Abo (also known as Abib or Abibo) of Nekresi. At that time the Persians were dominating the whole region, because of which, monasteric life/movement encountered certain hardships. As a result of disagreement with the Zoroastrians (Mazdeans), the Persians took Abo of Nekresi to Mtskheta and executed him there. Therefore, the founder of the monastery is buried not in Nekresi, but in Mtskheta, in the Samtavro Church. Later, the monastery was subject to numerous raids of different kinds. It is said that during one of such raids, the monks let the herd of pigs into the monastery (or put the slaughtered pigs around the monastery?) and the Muslims left the monastery. Because of that, there is a tradition in the monastery – on holy day celebrations barbeques (Mtsvadi) are made only from pork.

The monastery is active however its household facilities do not catch the eye. The complex includes approximately 5 buildings: the VIII century Church of Holly Virgin that is built in the form of basilica and surrounded by a gallery. Economic building (part of Bishop’s palace) with the tower attached to it was built in the XV century. A very simple building that is considered to be a IV century church and as they write, the oldest Christian monument of the country, however, officially, Bolnisi Sioni is considered the country’s oldest monument. The church is very small, it can accommodate only a handful of people, there is a passage somewhere down there, where there are human bones. A bit on the side, there is another church, which everybody calls “IX century square church.” This is a bit strange building (like many other churches of that century), which definitely represents a church of square design and is surrounded by a gallery.

The Holy Virgin church is interesting for its frescos. We suggest that apart from them, you pay attention to the wooden chairs – the so called “Stasidia” standing inside the church. This is a half-forgotten element of the eastern Christianity, but still can be found in some places in Georgia.

The territory has several chairs and it offers a splendid view of Alazani valley. Almost all the churches in Georgia are observation grounds. And Nekresi is not the exception. The chairs of the monastery are ideal places to rest in the silence and restore nervous system.

Enology – interesting facts (stories) about Georgian wine and wine-making.