This perfectly restored outstanding monument of Georgian architecture was the centre of spiritual and scientific life of the Middle Ages, the tomb of Georgian tsars, the cult place for pilgrims. It is located 1 km from the city of Kutaisi and is under UNESCO protection as an object of cultural and historical legacy.
In fact Helati is a rich historical architectural complex comprising the ancient monastery, the bell tower, the church and the academy set up in 1106 by the great tsar of Georgia David the Builder. Thus, Helati was not only the spiritual centre of the country but also the largest centre of culture, history and science. David the Builder, who wanted to create a large educational centre in his country, gathered the best Georgian scientists in the academy. In Helati there was a big and rich library, the teachers and scientists in the academy were the most educated people of the time.
The main structure of the complex is the church of Assumption of the Virgin.
This temple keeps well-known Helatian mosaics and frescos dated the 12 th – 18 th centuries. The most valuable are the paintings with the images of the Mother of God. On the northern wall of the temple there is a fresco with the image of David the Builder. Beside those Helati complex includes St. George the Victory-Bearer cross-dome church (the 13 th century) which is a smaller replica of the main Helati temple. The church has 16 th- century frescos. The two-level St. Nicolas Miracle-Worker church is also a part of the complex.
… Here the short history of Helati. From the 12 th to the 14 th centuries the monastery was the property of the Tsar's house. Tsar David granted it enormous grounds and generous treasures – the trophies of the victorious wars. The monastery was the place where such religious relics of entire Christian world as Khakhul icon of Divine Mother and the Atskur icon of Divine Mother along with ancient manuscripts and many other relics were kept.
Tsar David ordered to arrange a tomb for the representatives of imperial family n the monastery. Nearly all tsars of united Georgia are buried there: Demetre I, George III and presumably Queen Tamara. David the Builder ordered to bury him in such a way that everyone entering the tomb would step on his ashes. The legend says that it was how the tsar wanted to be punished for being arrogant. Now the ashes of the tsar are resting under the southern gate of the temple and everyone who enters the temple has no other choice but stepping on his tomb. There is also the tomb of Imeretian tsars since after the disintegration of the united state the monastery was in their possession. In 1510 Helati was burnt by Turkish aggressors.
After that the tsars of Imeretia Bagrat III and George II thoroughly repaired the monastery. Afterwards the residence of the Catholikos was transferred from Bichvinta to Helati in the second half of the 16 th century (until the 19 th century). In the 17 th century the monastery was renovated again. After Imeretian kingdom joined Russia Helati ceased to be the church possession and became a state property. |
