Sapara Monastery: A Hidden Gem of Georgian Orthodox History

Sapara Monastery, whose name translates to 'hidden', is a captivating monastic complex located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia, approximately 10 km from Akhaltsikhe. The monastery's history stretches back to at least the 9th century, with significant development occurring under the Jakeli family, who transformed it into their residence and family burial ground in the 13th and 14th centuries. The complex comprises several religious and historical structures. The oldest is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 10th century. This single-nave basilica features unique ornamentation and hidden frescoes discovered during restoration. The largest church, dedicated to St. Saba, was constructed in the 13th-14th centuries. Its interior boasts intricate carvings, and an inscription reveals the architect was named Parezasdze. Other notable structures include the bell tower, considered one of the oldest in Georgia, and the ruins of the Jakeli family palace. Throughout its history, Sapara Monastery has experienced periods of prosperity and abandonment. It was deserted when the Ottoman Turks seized power in the 16th-17th centuries, and many sacred articles were moved to safety. Monastic life was restored briefly in the 19th century before the monastery became a Russian hermitage. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989, the monastery was revived, and it continues to function as an active monastery today.