Shemokmedi Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Guria, Georgia
Shemokmedi is a monastery complex in Guria featuring two churches: the Redeemer and the Transfiguration, with a bell tower built on the monastery fence. The complex sits at about 190 meters elevation and displays the solid stone construction typical of Georgian monasteries.
The monastery was founded in the 15th century and developed into a bishop's seat. It also became the burial place for the Gurieli princely family of Georgia.
The monastery served as a repository for religious treasures and manuscripts gathered from different Georgian monasteries over the centuries. This made it an important center for preserving the orthodox heritage of the region.
The complex sits about 7 kilometers east of Ozurgeti and can be reached by local transportation from the city center. Daytime visits work best when the surroundings are clearly visible and local buses are running.
The Church of the Transfiguration holds a 9th-century mosaic icon depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus. This artwork ranks among the oldest surviving religious works in Georgia and draws art historians from around the world.
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