12:06, 9 May 2021

Georgian authorities agree with UNESCO on restoration of Gelati Monastery

The reconstruction of the Gelati Monastery Complex. Photo: NATIONAL AGENCY FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION OF GEORGIA / FB https://www.facebook.com/georgianheritage/photos/ms.c.eJw9zMEJADEMA8GODslWrLj~;xg4SnO~;ALtV0RUmRcvnjhV1oUIwHvsCB5gFMkujziEmS9KqNlT8SyhRq.bps.a.1491762550901443.1073742407.112117398865972/1491762910901407/?type=3&theater

A UNESCO expert has been invited to draw up a plan for the reconstruction of the roofing of the main cathedral in the Gelati Monastery Complex, the Minister of Culture of Georgia has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in January 2021, a part of the roof of the Gelati Complex located near Kutaisi collapsed after a heavy snowfall. The cultural heritage monument in Gelati is in a deplorable state; water could damage the ancient frescoes, an expert said.

The UNESCO expert will arrive in Georgia in June, the Georgian Public Broadcaster reports with reference to Teya Tsulukiani, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs of Georgia.

According to the Minister, the restoration of the roof of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin will require huge human and financial resources.

The Gelati Monastery of the Virgin near Kutaisi is the most significant medieval monastery in Georgia, the centre of church and cultural life; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. It was built before 1125, and is decorated with Byzantine-style mosaics, which are considered to be the best in Southern Caucasus, the "News-Georgia" has reported.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 8, 2021 at 09:13 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.