Architecture of Georgia

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<p>The history of construction in Georgia can be traced back to the 5th-4th millennia BC, from <a href="/facts/Paleolithic/I48SMHo5">Paleolithic</a> to the <a href="/facts/Late_Medieval/XNtcJjrU">Late Medieval</a> times.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> The oldest structures were made of stone and wood, and later of bricks.
</p>
<h3>7th century</h3>
<p>This was the period of considerable rethinking of internal space in church design. The space was increased by introduction of pillars that now held the <a href="/facts/Tholobate/EjMhaJ3w">tholobate</a>, which gave possibility to experiment with the walls and improved esthetic perception of the interior. Traditional triangular niches by the sides of the <a href="/facts/Apse/lhgWFUz6">apse</a> also appear in this century. First such example, which actually started new traditions, was <a href="/facts/Tsromi_church/WtqhChHc">Tsromi church</a>.
</p>
<h3>10th century</h3>
<p>The first hints of the emerging 11-13th century architecture appear in this period in <a href="/facts/Kumurdo_Cathedral/D0FqxEmJ">Kumurdo Cathedral</a>.
</p>
<h3>11th century</h3>
<p>From the beginning of the century Georgian architecture becomes exceptionally artistic and decorative. Facades acquire rich relief ornamentation and arcading. Predominant ornamental motifs are inspired from nature – flowers, birds, wild and domestic mammals and people. Characteristic for eastern façade axial two rombs with ornamented window and cross above, first appeared in <a href="/facts/Samtavisi_Cathedral/CpvTHzM6">Samtavisi</a>, was later used up until the 13th century. Many earlier built churches, like <a href="/facts/Svetitskhoveli_Cathedral/Yb7LvCHv">Svetitskhoveli</a> and <a href="/facts/Manglisi_Cathedral/S1A8yHun">Manglisi</a> cathedrals, were substantially rebuilt and decorated in the 11th century.
</p><p>Major step in the general design was introduction of the <a href="/facts/Cross-in-square/9mPDU1Dk">cross-in-square</a> plan.
</p><p>Examples of that period: <a href="/facts/Samtavisi_Cathedral/CpvTHzM6">Samtavisi Cathedral</a>, <a href="/facts/Samtavro_Monastery/KAczuMmE">Samtavro church</a>.
</p>
<h3>12th century</h3>
<p>Following the traditions established in the 11th century, the accent was put on increased illumination of interiors in order to better observe frescos. This reflected in creating more windows in dome and side walls.
</p><p>Examples: <a href="/facts/Ikorta_church/IBgW4buV">Ikorta church</a>.
</p>
<h3>13th century</h3>
<p>Bell towers near the churches start to be constructed from the middle of the century.
</p><p>Invasion of <a href="/facts/Khwarazm/DIhw5ofr">Khwarezmians</a> and <a href="/facts/Mongols/fb4zx1s8">Mongols</a>, and strong earthquake of 1283 brought significant destructions. Meanwhile, the end of the 13th century is notable for large scale construction of monasteries; particularly in provinces less effected by invasions, like <a href="/facts/Samtskhe/e3lsUS5Q">Samtskhe</a>. Its rulers of the <a href="/facts/Jakeli/o7kjox2j">Jakeli</a> family succeeded in building one of the best in that period and still largely preserved <a href="/facts/Sapara_Monastery/SlEzmzkC">St. Saba's Church</a>, part of Sapara Monastery.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Following generally the <a href="/facts/Georgian_Golden_Age/NQQLVmSA">Golden Age</a> traditions, churches of that period are characterised by more simplified and less expressive decorations. Facade architecture disappears, and decorations are made on smooth surfaces. Previously convex window decorations become immersed into the wall. <a href="/facts/Cladding_(construction)/unSXcCeI">Cladding</a> is characteristically polychromatic. The <a href="/facts/Dome/vcv5uuXj">dome</a> looks heavier than in previous centuries, and its <a href="/facts/Tholobate/EjMhaJ3w">tholobate</a> typically has twelve windows, although starting from St. Saba's Church, the number increases to sixteen - eight true and eight false windows.
</p>
<h3>14th century</h3>
<p>The decline, which began in the previous century due to <a href="/facts/Mongol/fb4zx1s8">Mongol</a> dominance, continued to reflect in the architecture of the 14th century. The church dome <a href="/facts/Tholobate/EjMhaJ3w">tholobate</a> becomes more stumpy. The facade decorations remaining only around the doors and windows. The examples include <a href="/facts/Gergeti_Trinity_Church/v5gBWo44">Gergeti Trinity Church</a>, <a href="/facts/Zarzma_monastery/F5jKW7Hq">Zarzma</a> and <a href="/facts/Chulevi_monastery/j2NTN5X9">Chulevi monastery</a>.
</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul>
<li>Architecture portal</li></ul>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Darbazi/WQwFjI43">Darbazi</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Architecture of Georgia.

<ul><li><i>The Georgians</i>, David Marshal Lang, 6th chapter: Architecture & Art</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Закарая, П. (1983) Памятники Восточной Грузии. Искусство, Москва, 376 с. (In Russian) <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Закарая, П. (1983) Памятники Восточной Грузии. Искусство, Москва, 376 с. (In Russian) <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>Zakaraya, P. (1983) Pamyatniki Vostochnoi Gruzii. Iskusstvo, Moskva, 376 s. [Monuments of Eastern Georgia](In Russian) <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

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Architecture of Georgia