The FINANCIAL — The antiquity of the country’s Christian churches, abundance of holy sites and unique architecture has increased Georgia’s popularity with both local and foreign pilgrim travellers during the last several years. Kakheti is the leading region in this respect.
The FINANCIAL — The antiquity of the country’s Christian churches, abundance of holy sites and unique architecture has increased Georgia’s popularity with both local and foreign pilgrim travellers during the last several years. Kakheti is the leading region in this respect.
According to The Georgian National Tourism Agency (GNTA) 13,447 foreign visitors travelled in Georgia with the aim of seeing religious places over the course of a year, from March 2011 till April 2012. On the other hand, local pilgrim travellers number almost twice as many as foreigners. 38,532 Georgian travellers, which is almost 1 percent of the total number of local travellers, were pilgrims.
In total 2,211,201 travellers visited Georgia in the first seven months of 2012 which is 54 percent more compared to the same period of 2011.
“It is common for pilgrim tourism to be combined with cultural and wine tourism,” said Rusudan Mamatsashvili, Head of the Planning and Development Department at GNTA. “Therefore this type of tourism is more developed in Kakheti. In recent times pilgrim tourism infrastructure has been fast developing in Georgia and this confirms its high potential as well. Infrastructure has already been constructed near Alaverdi (11th century), Gremi (16th sentury), Nekresi (4th century), Svetitskhoveli (11th century) etc. There are even several new hotels oriented at pilgrims specifically.”
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in the historical town of Mtskheta, 20 km northwest of the capital Tbilisi. Svetitskhoveli, one of the biggest holy sites, is known as the burial site of Christ’s mantle. It has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. The current cathedral was built in the 11th century. It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta including Jvari Monastery.
Jvari Monastery is a 6th century monument standing on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking Mtskheta.
On this location in the early 4th century Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting Georgia to Christianity, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple. The cross was able to work miracles and therefore drew pilgrims from all over the Caucasus. It is because of that that Jvari is so valuable to the Orthodox Church.
The robe of the Virgin Mary is kept in Dadiani Palaces Museum, Zugdidi. The robe has been in Georgia since 1453, moved from Byzantine after the fall of the Empire. Each year on July 15 the relic is moved to the church in Zugdidi and is available for worshipers to get close to. Many miracles are credited to its name. On the eve of the year 2000 the image of Jesus Christ appeared on the robe. After this global interest toward the robe grew rapidly.
Saint Nino’s grave rests in Georgia as well. It lies in Bodbe, Kakheti. The place is famous for Saint Nino’s shrine, which is miraculous and has many Christians from the orthodox world travelling there as a site of pilgrimage.
Nekresi is one of the most popular destinations for pilgrims which has been recently renovated. The Nekresi complex is divided into two parts – upper and lower Nekresi. The 1.5 km distance between them is covered by a causeway. Minibuses are available for GEL 1 but tourists can choose to walk the way.
The monastery is of important value to Orthodox tourists and there are 32 Saint’s holy relics including the Apostles Matthew’s and Luke’s holy relics kept there. As well as this, the complex includes the Fire Temple which was constructed in the 4th century BC.
Beside the churches the complex contains two wine cellars of the 5th and 9th centuries, the refectory of Nekresi, a store for monastery-made products and church accessories and an information centre. The guide service costs GEL 10.
The refectory at Nekresi offers various different menus. The lunch menu charges GEL 8.50 per person. Tourists can taste traditional Georgian food as well as international dishes. Prices are similar to those in Tbilisi’s restaurants. Tourists can also taste monastery-made wine and cognac.
Gremi is located several km away from Nekresi. The complex has quite good infrastructure for tourists including cafes, a gift shop, traditional Georgian baths and a wine cellar where any tourist will be able to taste the wine. In the museum near the church there are several centuries-old household appliances, tools, weapons, accessories etc. Guides are available in Georgian, English, Russian and German languages. The price of a guide service is GEL 10.
Adishi is known because of its ancient Gospel as well. The village is very stunning, surrounded by churches and mountains. Spending the night in Adishi plus three meals costs GEL 40. Visitors can also hire horses. Guides are available in Georgian and English.
All these places are very important to Orthodox Christians but they are not the only ones to visit them. The main rule at the holy sites is that female visitors are not allowed to enter wearing short dresses or trousers and without a headscarf. As for men, they are not allowed to enter wearing shorts. Visitors must keep a respectful silence in the churches and are forbidden to talk on mobiles. Taking photos is also forbidden in the majority of the holy sites.
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