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Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery

Just a few kilometres away from Vardzia Cave Monastery, on the right bank of river Mtkvari, there is another monastery carved into the rock - Vahanis Kvabebi. The word “kvabebi” means “cave”. 

If you take the main road ს 11 (S 11) from the city of Aspindza to Khertvisi Fortress and then turn right on to the regional road შ 58 (SCH 58) alongside river Mtkvari, you will reach Vahanis Kvabebi within 20 minutes.

Although Vahanis Kvabebi is not quite as impressive as Vardzia Cave Monastery, it dates back to the 8th century, making it a couple of hundred years older than famous Vardzia.

Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery has 19 levels with more than 200 caves, including three rock churches, two of which are more or less still preserved. As Vahanis Kvabebi is U-shaped, you always have an excellent view of the other side and the different levels of the monastery.

One of the three churches at Kvabebi Monastery is dedicated to Saint George and located on ground level. The outside wall has not been preserved, but according to archaeological data the initial height must have been around 12 meters. There is small room, about 1.5 meters high, that serves as the basis of the construction and looks like a tomb-chest.

You can still see a carved, whitewashed gate with a vessel below, in which the carved details of the iconostasis and ornamented stones of the bell tower were found. An iconostasis is a screen bearing icons, separating the sanctuary of many Eastern Orthodox churches from the nave.

On the top floor there is another small church carved into the rock, with inscriptions preserved on the walls. Legend has it that these inscriptions were made by women who were captured and brought her in the second half of the 15th century.

The inscriptions are said to be of great importance in terms of the history of Georgian literature, as they preserved ancient samples of Georgian lyrical poetry, among them parts of the famous 12th century poem "The Knight in the Panther’s Skin" by Georgian national poet Shota Rustaveli.  

Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery, just like Vardzia, was partly destroyed several times. Not only by Mongol, Persian or Turkish invaders, but also by natural disasters, as the region was shaken by heavy earthquakes several times over the centuries, for example in 1089, in 1283 and again in 1319.

It was in the late 12th and early 13th century, under the reign of the famous Georgian Queen Tamar, the elder daughter of King George III and first female ruler of the country, that Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery, like Vardzia Monastery, was rebuilt and expanded. Early Georgian sources state that during this period Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery was in the possession of the feudal Tmogveli family, a branch of the powerful Mkhargrdzeli family and military leaders in Queen Tamar’s army.

For most of its history, Vahanis Kvabebi primarily functioned as a monastery, with most of its inhabitants being monks and while there are very few left, the same is still true today.

Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery is free to enter and usually much less crowded than Vardzia Monastery. But be sure to wear sturdy shoes fit for climbing, because the road up to the monastery is quite steep!


How to get there:

If you take the main road ს 11 (S 11) from the city of Aspindza to Khertvisi Fortress and then turn right on to the regional road შ 58 (SCH 58) alongside river Mtkvari in the direction to Vardzia Cave Monastery, you will reach Vahanis Kvabebi within 20 minutes. Taxi ride from Akhaltsikhe is approx. 1h 20 min (50 GEL), from Aspindza approx. 40 min (25 GEL).

Distances from major cities:
Akhaltzikhe - Vahanis Kvabebi: 60km | Aspindza - Vahanis Kvabebi: 29km

Opening hours:
Vahanis Kvabebi Monastery can be visited at any time during the week and on weekends.

Admission fee:
There is no admission fee.

picture credits: beyondarts GmbH

Project “Increased regional added value in the tourism sectors of Georgia by Digital Heritage Tourism Guides” was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation

 

 

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