Gelati Monastery Complex

If you have decided to visit Georgia or are already here, you will most likely hear about Queen Tamar. This almost legendary female ruler became queen of Georgia in the 12th century. Today she is connected with the Golden Age in the history of our country, and she is remembered as one of the strongest rulers in the history of Georgia, but we don’t want to speak about her life now; we want to discuss her death.

A Legend and a Burial 

Queen Tamar’s death is shrouded in mystery. Nobody knows exactly how she died or where she is buried. There are many legends circulating in the country today. One legend is more famous than another. The legend states: After a prosperous life, Queen Tamar dies naturally, but her guards or closest people, fearing that her grave might be disrespected by countless enemies of hers, hide her grave or bury her in an unknown place. In order not to give away the secret of her burial, they kill each other, and the last one commits suicide. Because of this, Tamar’s grave remains a mystery. There were countless research projects and excavations conducted, and this has also become a headache for treasure hunters, but until now there has been no success in finding Queen Tamar's grave. Some scholars indicate that Queen Tamar must be buried in the Gelati monastery complex. Well, the Gelati Monastery Complex wasn’t only the biggest educational center that has ever been built and operated in Georgia. It had also been the burial place of Georgian royals in the Middle Ages and the Imeretian royal family in the 16th and 17th centuries. The great-grandfather of Queen Tamar, King David the Builder, undoubtedly the most popular figure in Georgian history, is also buried here. His gravestone is lying at the main entrance of the complex, but keep in mind that the main entrance now was not the main entrance in the 12th century. King David’s gravestone and gates from Ganja are at the southern entrance of the complex.

The Gelati monastery complex and academy are outstanding monuments of Georgian medieval architecture. It is the spiritual center of the region and was the educational center of the country in the Middle Ages. It is located just 11 kilometers from Kutaisi and consists of several buildings. The most famous and spacious is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This cathedral holds the most famous and important specimens of Georgian wall and fresco paintings. In the middle of an alter, one can observe a beautiful mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. A truly unique piece of a mural because of its colors and composition. The golden background is made out of small pieces of colorful local Smalt and limestone. Pieces are different in size and shape, but that doesn’t affect the whole mosaic. Colors and such a synthesis of mosaics together with fresco paintings are unique, and they never repeat anywhere in Georgia. The fresco painting of King David the Builder is the closest depiction of his real self.

Except for the main cathedral, there are Saint George’s and Saint Nicholas’s churches, together with the remaining and only accessible part of the Gelati Academy building. The last represents a big rectangular hall. Under this hall's construction, there is a whole complex of buildings, passages, and wine cellars. But they were discovered in 2009 and are still under excavation, so they are not accessible for travelers.

The Gelati complex is under the protection of UNESCO. It has an absolutely unforgettable location in the middle of greenery, and if you happen to be in Kutaisi, do not miss it.