Alaverdi Monastery

Alaverdi Monastery ალავერდის მონასტერი
275 px Alaverdi Monastery
Shown within Georgia (country)
Basic information
Location	25 km from Akhmeta, Kakheti Province (Mkhare), Georgia
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
Region	Caucasus
Architectural description
Architectural style	Georgian; Monastery
Founder	Monk Joseph (Yoseb, Amba) Alaverdeli
Funded by	Kvirike III of Kakheti
Completed	6th-11th centuries

Alaverdi Monastery (Georgian: ალავერდის მონასტერი) is a Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery located 25 km from Akhmeta, in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia. While parts of the monastery date back to 6th century, the present day cathedral was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti, replacing an older church of St. George.

History

The monastery was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb, Amba) Alaverdeli, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi, then a small village and former pagan religious center dedicated to the Moon. At a height of over 55 meters, Alaverdi Cathedral is the second tallest religious building in Georgia, after Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, which was consecrated in 2004. Its overall size is also smaller than the cathedral of Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta. The monastery is the focus of the annual religious celebration Alaverdoba. Situated in the heart of the world's oldest wine region, the monks also make their own wine, known as Alaverdi Monastery Cellar.

Burials

• Ketevan of Kakheti
• Teimuraz I of Kakheti