Khorakert Monastery: A Hidden Armenian Treasure in Georgia

Khorakert Monastery, a remarkable example of Armenian architecture from the 12th-13th centuries, lies on the western slope of Mount Lalvar, near the village of Jiliza. While geographically situated in Georgia, close to the Armenian border, its architectural and artistic identity is distinctly Armenian. The monastery is accessible only through Georgia, requiring special permission to visit. Once a rich monastic complex, Khorakert is surrounded by a stone wall, enclosing the main temple and a vestry. The main entrance features a vaulted premise with arched passageways adorned with half-columns and ornamental carvings. Within the walls, remnants of a refectory and two small vaulted chapels with deep apses can still be seen. A secret passage leads from a wall south of the chapels to a nearby gorge, hinting at the monastery's defensive strategies. The main temple, dedicated to St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), is the largest and most artistically expressive structure. Dating back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries, it exhibits a cross-winged domed structure with annexes. The interior is relatively modest, but the cupola stands out with its unique design. The decahedral drum of the cupola, featuring hexahedral columns, is a rare sight in Armenian architecture. Inside, the cupola's hemisphere is formed by three pairs of intersecting arches, creating a six-pointed star. The vestibule, added in 1257, was a rectangular hall with intersecting arches, though it was destroyed in an earthquake.