The Zegaani Monastery

The Zegaani Monastery, a monument of Georgian architecture, is located in a forest near the village of Zegaani in the Gurjaani Municipality.

Among the monastic structures, the 6th–7th-century Triple-Church Basilica of the Virgin Mary — Kvelatsminda — stands out for its architectural significance, inspiring admiration among architecture enthusiasts. The building is constructed of cobblestone, while the exterior corners, the imposts of the pillars, and the window frames (on the exterior) are fashioned from tuff (shirimi) blocks. The conch of the apse in the central, main church and the arch of the bema are horseshoe-shaped. An upper gallery (patronike) is arranged in the western part of the nave.

The southern church features an eastern apse, while its southern wall is opened by a three-arched entrance resting on two round columns, highlighting its distinctive design. The northern church is apseless and features a two-arched entrance supported by a round column, emphasizing its architectural variation. The monastery is enclosed by a defensive wall, within which are the ruins of residential and utility buildings.

Near the monastery, in the forest, stands the 5th-century Church of Saint Marine—the building with a simple cross-shaped plan. The southern and northern arms are low. All arms are covered with horseshoe-shaped vaults. The church is plastered both inside and out. Late-period murals are preserved in the interior (restored in 2009).

Literature: Чубинашвили Г. Н., Архитектура Кахетии, Тб., 1959.

Sh. Sagharadze