Ikorta church, Eastern Orthodox church in Shida Kartli, Georgia
Ikorta church is an Eastern Orthodox building featuring a rectangular central plan topped by a dome and a semicircular apse, located high in the Shida Kartli mountains. Two doorways on its southern and western sides provide entry to this solid stone structure, which stands alongside the ruins of an adjacent fortress.
The structure was built in 1101 as part of a fortress complex during the reign of Georgian kings who controlled this region. Today only the church and castle ruins remain from that medieval compound, preserving traces of the period when fortified settlements dotted these mountains.
The church takes its name from a nearby fortification and served as a spiritual center for communities living in this remote mountain region. The visible wall decorations reveal how medieval worshippers expressed their faith through visual art.
The location sits at around 3300 feet (1000 meters) elevation and is remote, so visiting with a guide and four-wheel drive vehicle is the practical way to reach it. Wear sturdy footwear and expect rough terrain, as the mountain route requires preparation for variable conditions.
Inside the church, a medieval solar clock with twelve sectors remains visible, showing how people once measured time in this mountain sanctuary. This uncommon timekeeping device carved into stone surprises visitors who do not expect to find such ingenuity preserved in this remote medieval site.
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