Sapara Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox sanctuary located near the village of Ghreli, within the Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Administration. This historic monastery has played a pivotal role in the annals of Georgian history, serving as the residence of the Jakeli family, the ruling dynasty of the feudal Samtskhe Principality. Today, Sapara Monastery stands as a popular destination for both tourists and religious pilgrims seeking to connect with its rich heritage.
The oldest church within the Sapara Monastery complex is believed to have been constructed around the 10th century during the reign of the House of Jakeli, a royal family that governed southwest Georgia for centuries. The Jakeli dynasty managed to maintain the independence of their kingdom despite facing the challenges of a Mongol invasion in the 13th century and other adversities. Their commitment to fostering monastic life in the region was profound, as they were instrumental in the restoration of various monasteries, including Zarzma Monastery, during the tumultuous 13th and 14th centuries, even transforming Sapara Monastery into their residence.
However, when the Ottoman Turks seized power in the 16th and 17th centuries, Sapara Monastery, like many other churches and monasteries in the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, fell into abandonment. Fortunately, many of the monastery’s sacred artifacts were relocated to other cities in Georgia prior to the invasion, thus preserving them from looting and destruction.
The monastery remained deserted until the 19th century, when monks began to return to the hermitage. This revival was short-lived, as in 1893, under Russian rule, the monastery was converted into a Russian hermitage, a status that was also abandoned during the Soviet era of the 20th century, when the building was repurposed for secular activities.
It was not until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989 that monastic life was restored at the hermitage, and today, monks continue to reside within its walls, nurturing the spiritual legacy of the site.
The Sapara Monastery complex boasts a variety of religious structures, including St. Saba’s Church, the Assumption Church of St. Mary, St. George Church, Sapara Castle, and several chapels dedicated to Saints Stephane, Demetrius, John Chrysostom, and John the Baptist. Visitors can also explore a bell tower, monk’s quarters, and the remnants of a fortress that once protected the monastery.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a single-sanctuary structure, is the oldest building in the Sapara Monastery complex, dating back to the 10th century. Unfortunately, there are no written records of its founders, nor any inscriptions on the church itself. However, the chapel’s exquisite ornamentation is undoubtedly the work of a talented architect. During restoration efforts in the 1990s, walls constructed by Russian monks in the 19th century were removed, revealing a treasure trove of hidden frescoes. While these paintings were not part of the original 10th-century structure, they were likely added in the first half of the 14th century when a significant renovation was commissioned by the royal Jakeli family.
One of the standout features of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is its iconostasis, crafted from a soft green stone and adorned with pictorial representations of key Scriptural passages, including the Annunciation and the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary. This remarkable iconostasis is currently housed in the Art Museum of Georgia in Tbilisi.
The largest church in the Sapara Monastery complex is dedicated to St. Saba, who was known by his birth name, Sargis I Jakeli. After choosing to embrace monastic life, he relinquished his throne to his son and adopted the name Saba. Constructed in the 13th to 14th centuries during the reign of his son, Beka I Jakeli, St. Saba’s Church is perched upon a rock and adjoins the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Inside, the church is embellished with intricate carvings, and an inscription over a side entrance attributes its design to an architect named Parezasdze.
One of the original stone slabs from St. Saba’s Church, featuring an engraving of St. George slaying a dragon, can be viewed at the Georgian State Museum in Tbilisi.
The monastery’s landscape is accentuated by a two-story bell tower, also dating back to the 13th to 14th centuries. Inside this tower lies the mausoleum of a prominent local family, whose portraits grace the walls, adding a personal touch to the historical significance of the site.
Once a grand castle built during the medieval reign of Beka I Jakeli, Sapara Palace now reveals only the ground floor of its former glory. Constructed from meticulously hewn stone, the palace was designed with great attention to detail, particularly regarding the placement of doors and windows. While it is presumed that the palace originally featured a second floor with ceremonial halls and expansive windows, the current dilapidated state of the structure makes it challenging to fully envision its majestic past.
Above the entrance to St. George’s Church, an unusual inscription reveals that the cathedral was built by a man named Grigol Napshvueni specifically for the priests of the monastery. This historical note adds a personal touch to the church’s narrative, highlighting the dedication of individuals who contributed to the spiritual life of the community.