Martvili Monastery
{{Short description|Georgian Orthodox monastery in Martvili, Georgia}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Martvili Monastery
მარტვილის მონასტერი
| infobox_width =
| image = Martvili Monastery (3).jpg
| image_size = 275 px
| alt =
| caption = The Martvili monastic complex.
| map_type = Georgia
| map_size = 275
| location = Martvili, Martvili District, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare), {{flag|Georgia}}
| coordinates = {{coord|42.4053|42.3778|display=inline,title}}
| religious_affiliation = Georgian Orthodox Church
| rite =
| region = Caucasus
| state =
| province =
| territory =
| prefecture =
| sector =
| district =
| cercle =
| municipality =
| consecration_year =
| status =
| functional_status = Active
| heritage_designation =
| leadership =
| website =
| architecture = yes
| architect =
| architecture_type = Monastic complex
| architecture_style = Georgian; Monastery
| founded_by = Andrew
| funded_by = Rebuilt by King Giorgi II, 10th century
| general_contractor =
| facade_direction =
| groundbreaking = 1st/7th century?
| year_completed = Original construction of Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral, late 7th century; rebuilt 10th century
| construction_cost =
| specifications =
| capacity =
| length =
| width =
| width_nave =
| height_max =
| dome_quantity =
| dome_height_outer =
| dome_height_inner =
| dome_dia_outer =
| dome_dia_inner =
| minaret_quantity =
| minaret_height =
| spire_quantity =
| spire_height =
| materials =
| nrhp =
| added =
| refnum =
| designated =
}}
Martvili Monastery ({{lang-ka|მარტვილის მონასტერი}}) is a Georgian monastic complex located in the village of Martvili in the Martvili District of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare) of Georgia. It sits upon the highest hill in the vicinity and was of strategic importance.
History
The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the Samegrelo region.
The main Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral (Mingrelian: Chkoni translates to "oak") was reconstructed in the 10th century after invasions that destroyed the prior church.
Preserved in the church are frescoes of the 14th to 17th centuries.
Gallery
Image: Ground-Plan of the Church of Martvili. John M. Neale. A history of the Holy Eastern Church. P.296.jpg|Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral floorplan
Image: Martvili monastery1.jpg|Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral
Image: Martvili Monastery (2).jpg|Cathedral drum and dome
Image: Martvili Monastery (1).jpg
Image: Martvili monastery Mingreli region, Georgia.jpg|Martvili monastery, September 2018
Image: Martvili, patriarchate at Martvili monastery, Mingreli region, Georgia.jpg|Martvili, seat of bishop, Chkhondidi eparchy at Martvili monastery
See also
References
= Bibliography =
- {{citation|last=Beridze |first=F. |title=Old Georgian Architecture |location=Tbilisi, Georgia |year=1974}}
- {{citation|last=Chubinashvili |first=C. |title=Georgian Art History, Vol. 1 |location=Tbilisi, Georgia |year=1936}}
- {{citation|last1=Beradze |first1=H. |author2=L. Menabde |title=Choir, Vol. 6 |page= 458| location=Tbilisi, Georgia |year=1983}}
External links
{{commons category|Martvili monastery}}
- [http://www.atlantaserbs.com/learnmore/monasteries_and_towns/Martvili.htm Martvili Monastery]
{{Georgian Churches}}