The Metekhi Church in Tbilisi
12th Century Metekhi Church in Tbilisi, Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
One outstanding feature of Georgia (the country) is the abundance of very old churches and monasteries. Almost every major city has a medieval era religious structure usually built on photo-perfect locations on top of scenic hills and panoramic cliffs.
I was fortunate to have taken a collection of photos of several Georgian churches and monasteries between November 2010 and April 2011. I’m pleased to post my photos of each church separately under a new category, “Cathedrals, Churches and Monasteries”.
12th Century Metekhi Church in Tbilisi, Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
One of my favorites is the Metekhi Church in Tbilisi, the national capital. The church is not so big but it is rich in history and it beautifully sits on a cliff overlooking the Mkvari River in a section called Old Tbilisi. The district where the church stands is a very old neighborhood where, according to historical accounts, King Vakhtang I Gorgasali erected the first church and his own residence. Thus the name Metekhi which literally means “the area around the palace”.
The church itself was built around the 12th Century but has since gone through a cycle of damages and restorations including closure under the Russian rule. A statue of King Gorgasali’s on a horse dominates the church grounds by a cliff overlooking an old bridge.
The Metekhi Church at night. Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
12th Century Metekhi Church, Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
View of the Metekhi Church from the Narikala Fortress at night. Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
The Metekhi Church taken from a mobile vehicle. Copyright Jessie T. Ponce 2010
I’ve been itching to capture the Metekhi Church in photos but, for several days, I was just passing by its location and only captured this last photo while in a moving car. I liked the blurred effect of the motion on the trees but still scheduled time later to explore the site on foot.
For my other photos and articles on the Metekhi Church at HubPages, please click on the links below:
Related articles
- It’s Warm and Easy in Tbilisi (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
- By the River Mtkvari 1 (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
- By the River Mtkvari 5 (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
- Mirrored 3 (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
- Mirrored 1 (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
- Medieval Mtskheta (travellingartist.wordpress.com)
The drag of endless mental work in a strange land takes its toll. Fatigue can kill so petty escapades provide hopeful deviations from the brewing madness. An aging DSLR keeps good company to a walk around the neighbourhood, a short drive to a scenic place, or a silent recollection in a quiet nook granting that the host community and the elements of nature would allow one a safe passage to solitude and contemplation. Loneliness quickly turns to joy when something exciting gets captured by the cam’s shutter then set free into the laptop’s screen followed by electric words that rush from the fingers to the keyboard in an effort to describe the moment. Alas, the brain is alive once again!
Love your photos of these churches. Makes me want to travel to Georgia.
LikeLike
Thanks ekhaugli 🙂 If you want to take photos of old churches and monasteries, Georgia is the place to go. Regards.
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures indeed. However as the history is concerned please note that Vakhtang I Gorgasali reined in the 5th century. Ilya citizen of Tbilisi
LikeLike
Thanks for pointing that out, Ilya. Edited it a bit to make it clearer.
LikeLike
Most amazing images and lighting. Fantastic captures!!
LikeLike
Awesome photos Jess! I love all of them! I will go back to Davao someday, its one of my most favorite places in the Philippines, one of the cleanest and peaceful places I’ve been. It’s where I learned to love eating Durian fruit. I miss it so much!
LikeLike
Thanks Levy. Looking forward to seeing you in Davao. I hope you’re enjoying life in New Zealand as well. Regards.
LikeLike
Pingback: The Gelati Monastery in Kutaisi « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: The Motsameta Monastery in Kutaisi « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: The Legendary Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtsketa « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: The Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: The Jvari Monastery « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: Mirrored 1 | A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: Mirrored 3 | A Traveller's Tale
Wonderful photos. I live in Tbilisi and it’s wonderful to know that these beautiful churches are photographed in such a beautiful way and shared with people across the world.
LikeLike
Pingback: It’s Warm and Easy in Tbilisi | A Traveller's Tale
Great pics! The first one i really like.
LikeLike
Pingback: By the River Mtkvari 5 | A Traveller's Tale
Visually, I like the first photo because of the mystery it evokes and because the rider looks like he’s ready to climb the distant hill. But “12th Century Metekhi Church” captures my imagination and makes me wonder how it would be to wander about the grounds. I imagine walking into the entry on the left and climbing through an underground stairwell to get up to the church. I’m sure that’s not really what you can do, but I love the thought of it. So much to explore visually and imaginatively! I wish the States were older so we could have medieval places to explore.
LikeLike
🙂 I also had similar thoughts, Dezra. Secret rooms and tunnels were not uncommon in those days and history has it that this place briefly became a military camp during the Soviet era — who knows what secrets this place has. Thanks for your kind commentary.
LikeLike
Pingback: Georgian Churches & Monasteries: A Photo Gallery « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: Images of Georgia: Three Cities « A Traveller's Tale
Pingback: Throwback Thursday: The Medieval Churches of Georgia (Country) | A Traveller's Tale