Nekresi is an historic
town in the Kakheti Region, eastern Georgia, in Kvareli Municipality. In the
4th century King Thrdat established a city and church, and Saint Abibos
Nekreseli established a monastery, now called the Nekresi Monastery Complex,
high on the hilltop. The complex includes a 4th century basilica, a church –
the Blessed Virgin Church (6th to 7th century) – a bishop’s residence (9th
century), a tower (16th century), and a wine cellar.
The Monastery is one
of the largest monasteries in the Kakheti Region. It has been restored with new
clay-tiled roofs, stone masonry, windows, and a viewing balcony – with views of
the plains of Kakheti and the Alazani Valley
In the wine cellar there are also holes in the floor where clay pots are
buried to store wine.
To reach the Church
visitors park at the base of the hill and wait for a mini-bus to drive up the
steep road to the complex – and drive visitors down again. Due to the steep
climb and limited parking space at the Monastery Complex no cars are permitted
further than the base parking lot. The drive is only about 5 minutes and the
shuttle departs regularly.
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