4th century Nekresi Monastery in Georgia

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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