Chulevi Monastery

Chulevi Monastery sits on the left bank of the Kvabliani River and features a rectangular interior space with a dome supported by altar walls. The building combines simple geometric forms with detailed decorative elements throughout.

The monastery was built in the 14th century and declined during Ottoman rule. By 1595 it had been completely abandoned as the local Christian community faced pressure to conceal their religious objects.

The interior walls display inscriptions and paintings created by the artist Arsen in 1381, including portraits of the Jaqeli princely family. These visual records show who gathered here to worship and how they wanted to be remembered.

The site is accessible via hiking trails that also connect to nearby fortresses such as Zanavi and Okro. The best time to visit is during dry weather and with appropriate footwear for walking the paths.

Local residents buried sacred objects in the surrounding woods during Ottoman occupation and retrieved them decades later in the 1980s. These recovered artifacts now offer a direct connection to how faith persisted through centuries of displacement.

Location: Samtskhe–Javakheti

Inception: 14 century

GPS coordinates: 41.70389,42.70222

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21