GeoEng
Two of the most important and most beautiful architectural monuments of Kakheti are the Dzveli ("old")and Akhali ("new" ) Shuamta Monasteries. Both of them stand in a forest of deciduous trees which makes them look even more fascinating.
The architectural ensemble Dzveli Suamta is situated 7km NW of Telavi. Its consists of a 5th century basilica, one of the most curious examples of Christian Georgian architecture; a 17th-century domed church of a type close to the Mtskheta Jvari Church. but of a smaller size (whith a smaller depth of the apses and bemas an increased significance of the dome drume and a more pronounced design of the trompes); a small 7th-century domed church which is also of a cross design in plan, but without corner rooms and bemas and with equal axes. The church were built of cobblestones; the corner were faced with hewn stones. In the 16th century Zveli Shuamta Monastery was abandoned. Not far from it a new, Akhali Shuamta Monastery was built by Tinatin Gurieli, the wife of King Levan II (1520-1574). The Church had a dome and was designed in the form of a cross in plan. It was built of brick; the inner walls were decorated with paintings and some of the portraits of the founders have been preserved. The Church was restored by Irakli II. The complex includes also a bell-tower and some minor buildings. A Chavchavadze was buried here.
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Two of the most important and most beautiful architectural monuments of Kakheti are the Dzveli ("old")and Akhali ("new" ) Shuamta Monasteries. Both of them stand in a forest of deciduous trees which makes them look even more fascinating.
