{{Short description|Georgian Orthodox monastery in Martvili, Georgia}} {{Infobox religious building | building_name = Martvili Monastery <br> მარტვილის მონასტერი | infobox_width = | image = Martvili Monastery (3).jpg | image_size = 275 px | alt = | caption = The Martvili monastic complex. | map_type = Georgia | map_size = 275 | location = [[Martvili]], [[Martvili District]], [[Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti]] Province ([[Mkhare]]), {{flag|Georgia}} | coordinates = {{coord|42.4053|42.3778|display=inline,title}} | religious_affiliation = [[Georgian Orthodox Church]] | rite = | region = [[Caucasus]] | state = | province = | territory = | prefecture = | sector = | district = | cercle = | municipality = | consecration_year = | status = | functional_status = Active | heritage_designation = | leadership = | website = | architecture = yes | architect = | architecture_type = Monastic complex | architecture_style = [[Architecture of Georgia (country)|Georgian]]; [[Monastery]] | founded_by = Andrew | funded_by = Rebuilt by [[George II of Georgia|King Giorgi II]], 10th century | general_contractor = | facade_direction = | groundbreaking = 1st/7th century? | year_completed = Original construction of Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral, late 7th century; rebuilt 10th century | construction_cost = | specifications = | capacity = | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = | nrhp = | added = | refnum = | designated = }}
'''Martvili Monastery''' ({{lang-ka|მარტვილის მონასტერი}}) is a [[Architecture of Georgia (country)|Georgian]] monastic complex located in the village of [[Martvili]] in the [[Martvili District]] of the [[Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti]] Province ([[Mkhare]]) of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. It sits upon the highest hill in the vicinity and was of strategic importance.
== History == The site upon the hill where the monastery stands today was used in ancient times as a pagan cultural center and was a sacred site. There once stood an ancient and enormous oak tree that was worshipped as an idol of fertility and prosperity. Infants were once sacrificed here as well. After the conversion of the native population to Christianity, the ancient tree was cut down so as not to worship it anymore. A church was originally constructed in the late 7th century upon the roots of the old oak tree and was named in honor of Saint Andrew who preached Christianity and converted the pagans across the [[Samegrelo]] region.
The main Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral ([[Mingrelian language|Mingrelian]]: ''Chkoni'' translates to "oak") was reconstructed in the 10th century after invasions that destroyed the prior church. Preserved in the church are frescoes of the 14th to 17th centuries.
== Gallery == <gallery> Image: Ground-Plan of the Church of Martvili. John M. Neale. A history of the Holy Eastern Church. P.296.jpg|Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral floorplan Image: Martvili monastery1.jpg|Martvili-Chkondidi Cathedral Image: Martvili Monastery (2).jpg|Cathedral drum and dome Image: Martvili Monastery (1).jpg Image: Martvili monastery Mingreli region, Georgia.jpg|Martvili monastery, September 2018 Image: Martvili, patriarchate at Martvili monastery, Mingreli region, Georgia.jpg|Martvili, seat of bishop, Chkhondidi eparchy at Martvili monastery </gallery>
==See also== *[[Ioane Mesvete]]
== References == === Bibliography === * {{citation|last=Beridze |first=F. |title=Old Georgian Architecture |location=[[Tbilisi, Georgia]] |year=1974}} * {{citation|last=Chubinashvili |first=C. |title=Georgian Art History, Vol. 1 |location=[[Tbilisi, Georgia]] |year=1936}} * {{citation|last1=Beradze |first1=H. |author2=L. Menabde |title=Choir, Vol. 6 |page= 458| location=[[Tbilisi, Georgia]] |year=1983}}
== External links == {{commons category|Martvili monastery}} * [http://www.atlantaserbs.com/learnmore/monasteries_and_towns/Martvili.htm Martvili Monastery]
{{Georgian Churches}}
[[Category:Georgian Orthodox monasteries]]