Dodo church, 6th-century cave church in Kakheti, Georgia
Dodo church is a 6th-century cave sanctuary in Kakheti that contains multiple chambers carved into the rock. These rooms served as religious spaces and living quarters for the monks who inhabited this mountain retreat.
The sanctuary was founded in the early 6th century by the saint Dodo and gradually developed into a larger monastic complex. It reached its peak influence between the 12th and 15th centuries when it served as a royal monastery.
The central altar displays medieval frescoes showing Jesus holding a Georgian text, alongside paintings of the archangels Michael and Gabriel. These images reflect the religious beliefs and artistic traditions that shaped the community.
The church sits within a larger monastic complex at 768 meters elevation and requires climbing steep paths to reach the chambers. Wear sturdy shoes and prepare for variable lighting in the rock spaces.
The refectory and main halls were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries and show how Georgian cave architecture developed over time. These later additions reveal the ways monks adapted and improved their living spaces as the monastery grew.
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