GEORGIA - Kutaisi

15:18 Travel Bunny 1 Comments

Kutaisi is the second largest city and is the legislative capital of Georgia since 2012 when the parliament of Georgia was relocated to this city. Capital at various times of several kingdoms, Kutaisi has a rich history which incidentally houses two UNESCO sites.

Arrived in Kutaisi at night to check in to the hotel, Gora Hotel.

The hotel’s lobby area.

Walked around the city at night which seemed pretty deserted.

Most of the shops were closed except for some eateries.

Kutaisi Central Park is a nice place to walk around.

Few statues at the park.

Don’t know who are they though. Most probably famous Georgian poets.

Some building with nice architecture in the city.

Colchian Fountain at the Central Square of Kutaisi.

Colchian is actually a late Bronze and Iron Age culture of western Caucuses.

A theatre.

If you feel lucky, try out the casino while you’re in Kutaisi.

The Art Gallery of Kutaisi.

If you want to know more about the city, you can always go to the Tourism Information Center.

Rioni River.

After exploring the city for about 2 hours, I headed back to the hotel.

Located up on the hill, Hotel Gora is 10 minutes walk to the city. However it was a tiring walk back to the hotel.

The view of Kutaisi from the hotel.

Rise and shine.

Elijah touching a leopard… statue in the hotel.

A simple breakfast at the hotel before heading out.

Had my breakfast while enjoying the view of the city.

Look, I could see Bagrati Cathedral from the hotel.

The Kutaisi Cathedral of Dormition (Bagrati Cathedral), known as the symbol of united Georgian kingdom, was founded by the first king of united Georgia, Bagrat III Bagrationi (978 – 1014). It was completed in the 11th century.

Located up a hill, Bagrati’s Cathedral is the landmark of Kutaisi.

It was partly destroyed by the Turks in 1691 where an explosion caused the cupola and ceiling to collapse. In 1994, the Bagrati Cathedral together with Gelati Monastery was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site list as a single entity.

The history of the reconstruction of Bagrati Cathedral from 1900 to 1994.

The cathedral was officially rebuilt on 16 September 2012.

New steel steps being installed at the side of entrance door.

The archaeological excavations has revealed the cultural layers of different periods, among them the fragments of a 4th century church, the mosaic floor dated to 1003 and several royal burial vaults.

The metal clad column and ceiling are modern addition to the old church which stand out in contrast. If you think this looks awkward, wait till you see the exterior of the church.

The reconstruction of Bagrati Cathedral is still on-going.

Guess what’s that giant chunk of glass structure adjoined to the building… It’s actually a lift. This is the first time I saw a lift in a church. Why would they add a modern looking lift to an old church’s facade. Can anyone please explain it to me?

It is no wonder that UNESCO considered the rebuilding damaged the integrity and authenticity of the site and later demanded that the reconstruction to be stopped.

A steel plated cross outside Bagrati Cathedral overlooking the town of Kutaisi.

Back to the Colchian Fountain at the Central Square of Kutaisi for a photo stop.

Then, I’m off to visit the Gelati Monastery next.

On the way to Gelati Monastery, our tour guide stop by another church.

The church is surrounded by forest.

It looks like an old church but I couldn’t remember its name.

Light filters in through the window creating a peaceful atmosphere.

This is the mummified remains of someone important in the church.

A sheep being tied aside. Hmm, I wonder where its owner is?

Finally we arrived at the Gelati Monastery whose main building were erected between 12th and 17th centuries. In 1994, it was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main church is in the centre, flanked by Church of St. George to the west and the two storey Church of St. Nicholas and the academy building behind it.

The Gelati Monastery is not simply a monastery, it is also a centre of science and education.

This is the 13th-century Church of St. Nicholas with a small domed church on the upper floor, approached by a stone stairway.

An ancient wine cellar.

The original main entrance.

The ancient steel gate.

The exterior of the main church has decorative arcading on all of its facade.

On top of the main door is a mural depicting the Virgin and Child with two archangels.

The interior of the church is covered with frescoes which depict biblical scenes and historical personages.

The view of roses in glass vase is made captivating by light streaming in from many windows.

This is the famous 12th-century mosaic in the conch of the apse, depicting the Virgin and Child with two archangels in colour against a gold background.