Saint George’s church of Kortaneti

Saint George’s church of Kortaneti is located in the village of Kortaneti, Borjomi municipality, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The church is built in the X century. This is a transitional period in Georgian architecture, which is characterized by composite searches and it is also significant in the church of Kortani. The church is a hall type, with the narthex from the west. The narthex is connected to the church hall by an arched exit. Its cylindrical vault is perpendicular to the church vault. The narthex is covered with a single-pitch roof and the hall - with a gable roof. The square, where the temple stands, is intentionally aligned. The building with the eastern facade is almost propped on the rock. On its north side is a slope, covered with forest, where old houses ruins remained. The church is built from rough stones of various sizes and shapes. In some places stones, up to 1 meter long are folded in the bottom, which makes the facades monumental. The interior is whitened. The monument has traces of later reconstruction. It is notable that initially, the building was higher, also almost every opening is widened and raised with a brick. The longitudinal walls of the hall are divided into two parts with two-stage pilasters. The protruding of each step is 27 cm. At certain heights, the pilasters ceased. The upper part of the church, with a cylindrical vault, is the result of a late restoration.

How to get there

The village of Kortaneti is 10 km away from Borjomi. As you cross the Kortaneti Bridge from the road to Borjomi you will immediately reach the village. The dirt road leads to the church, which is in poor condition. You can move here by jeep.