Gergeti Trinity Church, Orthodox church on Mount Kazbek near Stepantsminda, Georgia.
Gergeti Trinity Church is a stone structure on Mount Kazbek at approximately 2,170 meters (7,120 feet) elevation with a cross-in-square design and separate bell tower. The complex displays characteristic Georgian architecture built with dark grey stone and features two decorated entrances.
The church was built in the 14th century and served as a refuge for Georgian Orthodox relics during Persian invasions in the 18th century. Its location at this altitude made it an important sanctuary during periods of regional instability and conflict.
The church remains an active monastery within the Georgian Orthodox tradition and continues to serve as a spiritual center for the region. Visitors can observe monks and pilgrims at prayer and experience the daily rhythm of religious life in this high mountain setting.
The church is accessible by a 30-minute taxi ride from Stepantsminda or by a 1.5-hour hike from the village of Gergeti. Visitors should wear modest clothing and respect the guidelines for entering an active monastery.
The structure preserves fragments of original murals on its dark stone walls, with artistic elements traced back to the 13th century. These faded paintings reveal layers of artistic and spiritual expression that predate the later medieval expansions.
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