Sapara

Sapara as the only residence of Samtskhe Atabag Jakeli, was a fortress. Above the monastery, on the west side, to this day stand the ruins of the old fortress.

Sapara Monastery

Sapara

Sapara as the only residence of Samtskhe Atabag Jakeli, was a fortress. Above the monastery, on the west side, to this day stand the ruins of the old fortress. The main building of the monastery complex is the church of St. Saba – a domed church, built of hewn stone. Among the buildings in the monastery complex, the oldest is the Church of the Dormition that was built in the X century. The Church of St. Saba was built three centuries later. Technically, the building is constructed perfectly. Not a single crack is seen in it. Outside, the church is lined in warm colors, with wine-colored plates. The painting of the church is badly damaged.

On the south side, adjacent to the church a one-nave Church of the Assumption is situated. Only a few fragments of paintings remain from once fully painted church. The Chapels of St. George, St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Dmitry are attached to the Church of St. Saba. The most important place of worship of the complex is the Church of St. George, under which there are two arched cellars. On the first floor stands a three-tiered bell tower that is the family vault of the Lasurisdze known as the Church of St. Marina. At a distance of four meters from the bell tower, the Church of John the Baptist is built on the rock and standing separately is the Church of St. Stephen.

Sapara is one of the oldest and greatest monastic ensembles in Georgia. The Iconostasis, which displays the highest standards of Georgian art, is today kept in the Georgian Museum of Art.