Parkhali, Medieval monastery in Yusufeli, Turkey
Parkhali is a monastery in Yusufeli built with stone walls, arched windows, and carefully crafted details from the medieval period. The structure includes a cathedral dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and displays characteristic features of religious architecture from that era.
The monastery was completed in 973 under David III Kuropalates, marking a period of growing religious development in the region. This founding moment shows how religious centers became increasingly important across the highlands between the Black Sea and the southern mountains.
The monastery reflects Georgian religious traditions that took root in this region and shaped local spiritual life for centuries. People gathered here to practice their faith in ways that connected them to a broader religious community.
The monastery sits on the southern slopes of the Eastern Pontic Range and can be reached from Yusufeli. Today the site functions as a village mosque serving the local community, so visitors should observe respectful behavior when visiting.
Research expeditions in 1917 uncovered frescoes from the late 10th century hidden beneath layers of covering material that had concealed the artworks for a long time. These discoveries reveal how artists in this region expressed religious devotion through visual means.
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