Gergeti Trinity Church, otherwise known as Holy Trinity Church, is a small but very picturesque Christian church that is located above the village of Gergeti, thus the name, in the Kazbegi Municipality of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region, within the Caucasus country of Georgia. Situated on the right bank of the Chkheri River, which is the left tributary of the Terek River, this magnificent religious object is situated below Mount Kazbegi, which is among the highest points of Georgia.
The Holy Trinity Church was built in the 14th century, as the only cross-cupola church that can be found in the small historical-geographic area in northeastern Georgia, the Khevi Province, and in addition, it also has a bell tower which dates from the same period; however, it is built separately, next to the church.
The decorations are simple, while the bell tower is decorated with a few bas-reliefs. Nonetheless, the church is also appearing as a simple one, with only bas-reliefs and ordinary patterns that decorate the massive stone blocks, but it is certainly something traditional as its outline can be seen in other Georgian churches.
Throughout the centuries, the church was the place where the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church gave mass to the locals in the area, and in the 18th century, it was turned into a storage for the main Georgian relics, which were transported during the Persian invasion of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, during Soviet times, it was briefly closed by the government and abandoned, but fortunately, in the 1990s, it was given back to the main church, and it continued with its common practice.
As a matter of fact, the Gergeti Trinity Church is thought to be one of the greatest symbols of the small nation, and everyone who visits Georgia should come here; it will be considered that one did not visit Georgia. Getting here is a bit longer way, as it takes by minibus some 2 or 3 hours from Stepantsminda, 2 hours from Tbilisi, or 30 minutes by taxi.
There is the possibility to hike up to the church from the small village of Gergeti, which will allow everyone to view the amazing Georgian landscape that always knows how to captivate its visitors. Once at the top, visitors admire the astounding beauty of the church that is becoming increasingly alluring with its simplicity.
All things considered, Gergeti Trinity Church is definitely something that will make each person on the planet fall in love with the small nation of Georgia and inspire plenty of people to go there, see this magnificence in person, and get to know the Cradle of Wine, as Georgia is considered to be the birthplace of the powerful drink.
