Jruchi monastery, Orthodox monastery in Sachkhere Municipality, Georgia.
Jruchi monastery is a stone structure situated at the headwaters of the Jruchula River with architectural features typical of medieval Georgian religious buildings. The site displays characteristic design elements of that era, though today it remains largely in ruins.
The monastery was constructed between the 9th and 11th centuries and underwent several rebuilds until reaching its final architectural form around 1846. The structure suffered major damage from the 1991 Racha earthquake, leaving it largely destroyed.
The monastery's name comes from the Jruchula ravine where it stands. Its two illuminated Gospel books, Jruchi I (936) and Jruchi II (late 12th century), were removed under Soviet rule and are now kept in the Korneli Kekelidze Institute of Manuscripts in Tbilisi. The Jruchi I is a landmark of Georgian calligraphy.
The ruins stand at the headwaters of the Jruchula, near Tskhomareti in Sachkhere Municipality, on the historic Imereti–Racha frontier. The site is reached by rough mountain roads and paths; wear sturdy footwear. Only two badly damaged walls and the gate walls remain, so watch for falling masonry. A full-scale restoration was announced in 2018.
The monastery walls contain a bas-relief with two separate depictions of Saint George fighting against a dragon and an emperor. This unusual double representation is a rare artistic detail found at this location.
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