Kintsvisi Monastery
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Georgia| Kintsvisi Monastery ყინწვისის მონასტერი (in Georgian) | |
|---|---|
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Georgian Orthodox |
| Location | |
| Location | Kintsvisi, Shida Kartli Province (Mkhare), Georgia |
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| Geographic coordinates | 41°57′38″N 43°50′04″E / 41.9605331°N 43.8343085°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Church |
| Completed | 13th century |
| Official name: Kintsvisi Complex | |
| Designated | November 7, 2006 |
| Reference no. | 2104 |
| Item Number in Cultural Heritage Portal | 10644 |
| Date of entry in the registry | October 3, 2007 |
Kintsvisi Monastery (Georgian: ყინწვისი, Qinc'visi) is a Georgian Orthodox monastery in the Shida Kartli region, eastern Georgia, 10 kilometers from the town Kareli, on a forested slope of a high mountain of the Dzama valley. Its main church is an exceptional example of a brick church from the Georgian Golden Age period. The monumental mural is one of the largest among the Medieval Georgian artistic ensembles.
The Kintsvisi Monastery complex consists of three churches, of uncertain origin. The central (main) central church dedicated to St Nicholas is thought to date to the early 13th century, in what is generally regarded as the Georgian Golden Age. Its dating was possible due to the presence on the murals of the figures of three Georgian kings of that period. A very small chapel standing next to it is dedicated to St George, and dates from around the same time.
The oldest church, dedicated to St Mary dates from the 10-11th centuries, but is mostly in ruins.
In the 15th century the main church narthex was rebuilt by the local prince Zaza Panaskerteli. Its internal space was divided into three parts and decorated by frescoes. Among them also the unique depiction of Zaza himself.
The site is currently listed by the World Monuments Fund as a field project.
Architecture
The main church is a large inscribed-cross domed brick building which houses unique examples of medieval mural art from the early 13th century. Made of red brick, the church is harmoniously fit into the surrounding mountainous, forested landscape. This building material was not commonly used for construction in that period, representing exceptional case for the beginning of the 13th century. The dome was also originally covered in three-colored roof tiles. Its tholobate has 12 windows.
Though the internal space is cross-shaped, the church is rectangular in general plan. The only altar is flanked by a prothesis and a sacristy. High semicircular arches connect the lateral naves with the western arm. The narthex has two floors, with the lower floor being the portal and the lower the choir. The portal has been later divided into three parts.
The church facades originally lack any decorations. They are present only in form of window arches on the dome tholobate, also made of special bricks.
Except for the main church the monastery territory contains other buildings of different age and preservation, surrounded by the ruins of the common wall. Among the ruins, the bell tower, included into the northern wall, and two hall churches can be recognized. The smaller St. George's Church, standing close to the western facade, is in rather good condition. From the larger St. Mary's Church, standing in the north-west part of the area, only the apse with frescoes remains.
