Khakhuli Monastery, Medieval Georgian monastery in Tortum, Turkey.
Khakhuli Monastery is a medieval Georgian church set inside the gorge of the Tortum River in northeastern Turkey, built with a main hall supported by two free-standing piers that carry a central dome. The structure currently functions as a mosque.
The monastery was founded in the 10th century during the reign of King David III Kurapalates, when Georgian power in the region was at its height. After Ottoman forces took control of the area, the building was converted into a mosque.
The southern wall of the building features a window carved with an eagle motif between paired arches, framed by a radial pattern of colored stones. This type of multicolored stonework was a hallmark of Georgian craftsmanship from that era.
The site sits inside the Tortum River gorge, where the paths are rocky and can be steep in places. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should allow extra time to navigate the terrain comfortably.
A triptych of the Mother of God made in the 12th century and originally from this monastery is now kept at the Art Museum of Georgia in Tbilisi. It is considered one of the finest surviving examples of medieval Georgian goldsmith work.
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