Gelati Monastery complex closed to visitors until August 15

Effective immediately, the Gelati Monastery complex in western Georgia will be closed to visitors until August 15. The Patriarchate of Georgia announced this closure, explaining that the decision was made at the request of German experts currently conducting essential safety work. Patrol police have been deployed to the site to ensure compliance.

The Gelati Monastery, founded in 1106 in western Georgia, stands as a testament to the Golden Age of mediaeval Georgia, a period marked by political stability and economic prosperity from the 11th to 13th centuries. Beyond its religious significance, the monastery was a hub of science and education, with its Academy being a key cultural center in ancient Georgia.

Earlier this year, on February 27, the Social Justice Center (SJC) released a statement expressing concerns over the damage caused to the Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during recent reconstruction and conservation efforts. The SJC highlighted potential malfeasance, noting that these works, overseen by Thea Tsulukiani during her tenure as Minister of Culture, seem to have led to significant damage. The center’s statement suggested that the sequence of events points to possible official misconduct.