Schiomghwime
The monastery complex of Schiomghwime ( Georgian შიომღვიმე) is located in Georgia seven kilometers (as the crow flies) west of the city center of the old capital Mtskheta , about 30 km north of Tbilisi in today's administrative region Mtskheta-Mtianeti .
The monastery is one of the most important monuments of early medieval Georgian architecture.
Origin and history
According to tradition, the monastery was founded in the 6th century by a Syrian monk and missionary named Schio Mghvimeli . Schio is said to have been one of the 13 legendary Syrian monks who enlivened the Christian monastic system in Georgia. At first Schio lived in a cave and preached in the surrounding villages. The name Schiomghwime means "cave of Schio". Eventually a church and later a monastery were built on the site. The monastery was able to expand its complex in the following centuries, thanks in particular to the support of Kings Giorgi II and David IV the builder . A refectory (built between the 12th and 17th centuries) and a small chapel (from the 12th century) were added to the complex over time . 1614-16 which was operated at an invading Persian army under Shah Abbas I. destroyed. In 1678 the destroyed church was rebuilt as a basilica , with the old octagonal floor plan being retained. Like all major monasteries in Georgia, the monastery played a significant role in the care, preservation and development of Georgian culture. Many Georgian artists and scientists worked here.
location
The monastery is located at the northern end in a narrow gorge on the northern bank of the Kura River (მტკვარი / Mtkvari). Immediately above the monastery there is a rock wall with many natural caves, which in earlier times served the residents as a place of protection and retreat. These natural dwellings were certainly also the reason why Schio once settled here. In the course of time, the caves were expanded and served hermits and monks as places to live and meditate.
Web links
- Site on Monuments in Georgia
- Eka Sakalashvili: The Schiomgwime Monastery
- Georgian Parliament website
- შიომღვიმის მამათა მონასტერი (Georgian).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Heinz Fähnrich : Art. Schio Mghvimeli , in: Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche , 3rd edition, Volume 9, Freiburg 2000, Sp. 147.
Coordinates: 41 ° 51 ′ 44.5 ″ N , 44 ° 38 ′ 24.9 ″ E