Pitareti Monastery Complex

17 August 2017

Pitareti Monastery Complex consists of St. Mary's Church,  church tower, winery, fence and other additional constructions. The church was of average size, XII-XIII centuries Georgian domed churches type and is very much like to Betania, Kvatakhevi, Akhtari and other monasteries of the same period. In the above mentioned churches central space is occupied by a square under the dome which is created by free-standing two pillars and a pair of pylons attached to the altar walls. The temple is distinguished by its square layout. It has only one entrance – from the southern side. In the interior its scales are even shortened by slightly lancet arches. Because of these arches and quadrangular compact space there’s a very cosy atmosphere inside.

Unlike XI-XII centuries churches, this church’s facades isn’t fully covered with wall arches and continuous decorative elements. Only niches and apertures are decorated here, decoration is distinguished by the diversity of ornamentation and genuine mastership of handicraft. The whole internal space of Pitareti temple is covered by wall paitings. Frescoes are very damaged for this moment and only fragments remain. There are several tombstones preserved in the temple interior with historical inscriptions. Kaplan Orbelishvili, his son Papuna “Mouravi of Somkhiti, Patron of Saorbelo”, wife of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani - Darejan Bagrationi and others are buried in Pitareti.