Khorakert Monastery

Tucked into the forested slopes of Mount Lalvar, near the Armenian village of Jiliza and right on the Georgian border, Horakert Monastery stands as a rare and remarkable monument of 13th-century Armenian architecture. This remote religious complex, now located on Georgian territory, rests in a secluded area of the Lori region and can only be visited with official permission.

At the heart of Horakert is a cross-domed church distinguished by its striking architectural form—a decagonal drum supporting the dome, an unusual feature in Armenian ecclesiastical design. The dome itself is crowned with a vaulted structure composed of three intersecting pairs of arches. These arches form a six-pointed star, its center filled with intricate stalactite carvings that reveal the high level of craftsmanship achieved by its medieval builders.

Scattered around the church are the ruins of a refectory, two chapels, and a well. The well is more than a practical element—it conceals a hidden passage descending into a gorge. This secret exit once served as a place of refuge and escape in times of threat, bearing silent witness to the monastery’s turbulent past.

Horakert’s position at the foot of Mount Lalvar and its proximity to the border have long made it difficult to access. The site lies deep within the forest, and although it is closest to the Armenian village of Jiliza in Lori, there is no direct route from Armenia due to border constraints and terrain. Today, the only viable path leads through Georgia, from the village of Chanakhchi in the Marneuli district.

Given its remote location and cross-border status, visiting Horakert requires advance coordination and special permits. Local authorities or experienced tour operators familiar with the region can assist in organizing such a journey.