Tour to the Green monastery

   

 

In the morning departure in the direction to Akhaltsikhe. The Chitakhevi St. George's Monastery is located in a picturesque place in the Borjomi valley. People called it lovingly “The Green Monastery”, because all the trees in the valley are of a special green color. The stones, with which the church is built, are also green. Scientists believe that the church was built by Christopher and Theodore, the disciples of the famous Georgian figure, St. Gregory Khandzteli. In the 16th century, during the invasions of Shah Thamaz, this monastery was raided. During this time dozens of monks were killed or tortured. The blood which remained on the stones thrown into the river Chitakhevi, belong to the monks killed in the 16thcentury. Bloody stones are spread along almost the entire length of the river running through the territory of the monastery. Later, a few meters away from the church, there was built a bell tower. The bell tower is two-storey. The first floor is a chapel, and the second floor is a richly carved pavilion. On the west surface area, below ​​the arch, there is placed the relief of St. George fighting a whale. Over the centuries, the divine service was no longer performed at the church. In the early 80s of the past century the church was rehabilitated. In 2002, after many centuries, the monastery was restored. Return to Borjomi.