Reinforcement of the Alaverdi Monastery, Georgia
Torrential rains tormented Georgia in June 2011. Massive floods and mudslides occured in the eastern and western regions of the country, especially in the Kakheti province. Alaverdi St. George Father Monastery, an 11th century Georgian Orthodox complex located in the Kakheti region (historically the most interesting region in Georgia), was severely affected.
The cathedral was inundated for weeks with 40 cm of water from the Alazani river. As a result of the humid conditions, the fundaments of the church building have weakened and the 11th and 15th -16th frescos are deteriorating. The Alaverdi metropolitan bishop and the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection have developed an extensive plan to stabilize the murals and the fundaments of the cathedral and to reduce the effect of reoccurring flooding and landslides.
The Cultural Emergency Response (CER) programme of the Prince Claus Fund contributes to this initiative by reinforcing the terrain by setting up gabions and a drainage system to stop the devastating effects of inundation and sustain the monastery's future. The emergency works, as part of the total relief project, are indispensible in order to make sure that the church will be sustainable as in June the wet season will start again.
"The emergency works are indispensible"
Alaverdi Monastery before floods
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Alaverdi Monastery flooded
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Alaverdi Monastery flooded
Alaverdi Monastery work in progress
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Alaverdi Monastery work in progress
Background information
Alaverdi cathedral is unique; parts of the monastery date back to 6th century and its architecture is made out of harmoniously integrated styles from different periods. With a height of over 55 meters, Alaverdi Cathedral is the second tallest religious building in Georgia and breaths monumentality and grandeur. The mural paintings, stemming from three different periods, are one of the most important cultural treasures of the building.
Furthermore, the complex is significant for its socio- historical background. It is the place where not only Georgians but also numerous ethnic groups come on pilgrimage. It functions as a place for worship and communal meetings, and provides a stage for one of the most important religious and folk celebrations, Alaverdoba. Historically Alaverdoba lasted for three weeks in a three-step cycle, reflecting pre-Christian cults related to the Moon. In the 19th century, a tradition of agricultural fair was added to the festival. Alaverdoba survived the Soviet era and is still widely celebrated in Kakheti, attended by locals as well as visitors from the neighboring communities such as the Kists from the Pankisi Gorge. Alaverdi monastery is enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list since 2007.
CER
view programmeCER provides rapid and effective emergency relief for cultural heritage damaged or destroyed by man-made or natural disasters. Launched in 2003 in reaction to the looting and demolition of artworks from the National Museum of Iraq, CER believes that rescuing cultural heritage provides hope and consolation to affected communities and thereby contributes to restoring human dignity, continuity and a sense of identity. Culture is a basic need and cultural emergency relief should therefore be an integral part of humanitarian aid.
Reinforcement of the Alaverdi Monastery, Georgia
Reinforcement of the Alaverdi Monastery, Georgia
Torrential rains tormented Georgia in June 2011. Massive floods and mudslides occured in the eastern and western regions of the country, especially in the Kakheti province. Alaverdi St. George Father Monastery, an 11th century Georgian Orthodox complex located in the Kakheti region (historically the most interesting region in Georgia), was severely affected. The cathedral was inundated...
