The cave monastery, a photo from Samtskhe-Javakheti, East

Photographer's Note

SEE WS TOO!

Vardzia is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River, thirty kilometres from Aspindza. The main period of construction was the second half of the twelfth century. The caves stretch along the cliff for some five hundred metres and in up to nineteen tiers. The Church of the Dormition, dating to the 1180s during the golden age of Tamar and Rustaveli, has an important series of wall paintings. The site was largely abandoned after the Ottoman takeover in the sixteenth century. Now part of a state heritage reserve, the extended area of Vardzia-Khertvisi has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.Five monks still live in this mountain. Every morning at seven they ring the bell in the high arch.

IL MONASTERO DELLE CAVERNE

La cittа rupestre di Vardzia и un monastero rupestre scavato nel fianco del monte Erusheli, nel sud della Georgia nelle vicinanze di Aspindza. И stato fatto costruire dalla regina Tamara nel 1185.Il monastero consiste in piщ di seimila stanze nascoste disposte su tredici piani, all'interno delle quali era possibile proteggersi dai mongoli. La cittа includeva una chiesa, una sala reale e un complesso sistema di irrigazione che portava acqua alle terrazze coltivate. Unico accesso al complesso era offerto da alcuni tunnel ben nascosti le cui entrate erano situate nei pressi del fiume Mtkvari.
Il terremoto che colpм Samstkhe nel 1283 distrusse approssimativamente due terzi della cittа, espose le stanze alla vista esterna e fece collassare il sistema di irrigazione.
Durante il regno di Beka Jakheli nel tredicesimo secolo la chiesa fu rinforzata e fu costruito un campanile ben visibile dall'esterno.
I Persiani, sotto il comando dello Shah Tahmasp I, saccheggiarono il monastero nel 1551 privandolo di tutte le icone di valore e mettendo nei fatti fine alla vita nel monastero.Oggi Vardzia и una delle principali attrazioni turistiche della regione georgiana di Samtskhe-Javakheti. Il sito и mantenuto da un ristretto gruppo di monaci ed и visitabile giornalmente a tariffe molto basse.
Sono a tutt'oggi visitabili circa tremila stanze e in alcuni corridoi le antiche condotte portano ancora acqua potabile.

ChrisJ, mcmtanyel, bukitgolfb301, Silvio1953, Fis2, papagolf21, snunney, holmertz, jhm, ikeharel, rychem, ktanska, PaulVDV, alvaraalto, Royaldevon, adramad, clic, ricardomattos, danos, COSTANTINO, jean113, PiotrF, worldcitizen, delpeoples, fritzi007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pierrefonds (114422) 2017-10-01 15:48

Bonsoir Luciano,

La longueur du monastиre crйe de la profondeur. la prise de vue permet de voir les dйtails des caves qui appartiennent au monastиre. La bonne luminositй fait ressortir la beautй des couleurs. Bonne soirйe.

Pierre

mcmtanyel (68479) 2017-10-01 19:26

Hello Luciano,
This reminds me of the Cappadocia area in Anatolia. A beautiful place depicted by a lovely photo.
Regards,
MT

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2017-10-01 20:33

Hi Ciao dear Luciano

Another impressive shot from you. Monestry in the rocks are common in India, but I nver imagine there are so many in Georgia. This is very good TE effcet.
As usual greatly sharp and clear presentation.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

pajaran (115861) 2017-10-01 23:13

Dobar rad.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje.
Interesantan manastir u planini i prostorije za monahe.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela, srecno.
Paja.

Good work.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Beautifully shown, good perspective and contrast, beautiful colors.
An interesting monastery in the mountain and rooms for monks.
I wish you a beautiful and successful day, all the best in the new week that started, happy.

dkmurphys (79209) 2017-10-01 23:27

Ciao Luciano,
Incredible place, looks like a similar one in Turkey, right? That country surely deserves a visit.

Daniel

Silvio1953 (221563) 2017-10-02 0:38

Ciao Luciano, favoloso questo monastero scavato nella roccia, gran belli anche i due WS, in tutte e tre le foto bella prospettiva, splendidi colori, ottima nitidezza e magnifica luce, bravissimo, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (170717) 2017-10-02 0:52

Witaj Luciano!
Very interesting place, curious view.
Very impressive cave monastery.
Good frame, colors and light.
Well done.
Nice day.
Krzysztof

papagolf21 (152607) 2017-10-02 0:53

Bonjour, cher Luciano,
Et dire que nous avons la chance de vivre au 21e siиcle, alors que d'autres vivent а des annйes-lumiиre en arriиre avec ces troglodytes amйnagйs, qui passent les siиcles avec plus ou moins de bonheur.
La note est trиs intйressante (une fois de plus).
Amitiйs.
Philippe

Nicou (193806) 2017-10-02 1:31

Hello

quelle iamge tout la roche creusйe et quel travail dan la roche fantastique vue et compo et ces escaliers ces barriиre quel cadrage en latйral parfait c'est spendide et une belle dйcouverte.
Bravo et belle journйe
Nicou

snunney (130967) 2017-10-02 1:48

Hello Luciano,
A fascinating place. I like the oblique point of view along the rock face and the warm tints. Also, the nicely rendered textural detail.

ChrisJ (171822) 2017-10-02 1:54

Hello Luciano,

It looks like Cappadocia or Hasankeyf in Turkey. The fences and catwalks provide lead in lines and scale. Good sharpness and well framed and composed. Tfs!

holmertz (102672) 2017-10-02 2:42

Hello Luciano,
I must have passed quite near this area but I wasn't in the mood for an excursion into the wilderness. What a strange place this is, and what a strange life for the five remaining monks. I don't think they really like to have so many tourists around them. This is a good photo which also shows us some of the surrounding countryside, looking more pleasant than the rock and the caves. The view of the green valley is the main reason why I prefer this to the WS showing tourists.
Kind regards,
Gert

rbassin (27472) 2017-10-02 2:45

Ciao Luciano
une magnifique photo d'un lieu original avec ses constructions creusйes dans la roche.
L'angle de vue est bien et donne une bonne idйe d'ensemble.
Salutations
Roland

jhm (211736) 2017-10-02 5:19

Ciao Luciano,

Almost not to believe, a monastery in the mountain.
This is a wonderful picture and clear details too.
Composition and presentation are superb.
Sharpness and clarity are wonderful, also nice specially architecture.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Sergiom (117241) 2017-10-02 6:32

Bonjour Luciano,

Si tu ne peux pas gravir la montagne, creuse la, tu pourras toujours y faire ta maison. Facile а chauffer et fraоche en йtй. Superbe composition avec un point de vue remarquable.

Amicalement

Serge

Tue (92328) 2017-10-02 8:27

Hello Luciano,
Excellent photo of this elaborate system of caves, paths and stairs around this monastery. The POV allowed you to captured everything most clearly. You had a very pleasant sidelight too.
Lars

rychem (72187) 2017-10-02 9:09

Incredible, it looks like bird nests on a cliff slope, beautiful photo, great presentation, informative note
regards Ryszard

ktanska (44758) 2017-10-02 10:02

Hi Luciano,
Not a usual monastery view. These caves are without outdoor decorations, just openings on the mountain face. Simple stairs and fences to protect visitors. And still quite impressive. I guess this is hardly recognizable from down the valley.
Kari

PaulVDV (62886) 2017-10-02 10:55

Hello Luciano,
I guess this must also have been one of the highlights of your Georgian journey.
It's an amazing place. Difficult to imagine the life of the monks there.
Also your two pictures in the workshop give us a good insight of the cave monastery.
Best regards, Paul

Cricri (176) 2017-10-02 11:46

Ciao Carlo
Cela me fait penser aux habitations а Chenini en Tunisie, sauf que ici c'est un monastиre, trиs particulier a voir qui insiste a la curiositй, tout bon POV, belle version en WS
Belle soirйe
cricri

dta (98848) 2017-10-02 12:19

Ciao Luciano ,
Une remarquable monastиre troglodytique ;
Il ne faut pas y avoir le vertige !
Amicalement

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-10-02 13:26

Hello Luciano
This is one of those amazing, extraordinary places in the world. You show us the place in three excellent pictures. I think this is a fascinating place to visit and to photograph.
All three pictures are of high quality with good colours and sharpness.
Well done. Groet Rob

carlo62 (81265) 2017-10-02 14:59

Ciao Luciano
un altro luogo incredibile, al mondo esistono molti luoghi simili, ognuno con e proprie caratteristiche, ma tutti originali a modo loro.
Questi luoghi mi fanno paura e mi affascinano, mi sembra impossibile che delle persone potessero vivere in questi posti.
Gran bel servizio e bellissime foto.
Saluti
Carlo

Periko (9107) 2017-10-02 17:11

Hi Luciano
Living there was indeed favourable for the monks, far from people and noise, and with many books.
The photo is excellent, as usual. Sharpness and exposure are good.

Regards

Royaldevon (85932) 2017-10-03 2:20

Ciao Caro Luciano,

What a site!
It is an explorer's and a photographer's dream!
What a good idea to photograph it from the side so that we can see the caves but also understand the steepness of the slope and create a artistic composition, following the rules of photography.

The monks really are living the old life. They won't have the luxury of hot water and electricity. How humbling!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

kim_gwan (1142) 2017-10-03 9:37

Helo Luciano,

Having fun in Georgia! Will you visit Black sea?

I am wondering what tools and how long did it take for them to make this mountain inhabited during that time.

You got a really interesting perspective with excellent color shot

Perfect caption

Ralf

adramad (72978) 2017-10-03 9:56

Hi, Luciano.
Impressive this image as the two of the WS, by the way that for me the one that attracts me the most is the one that is seen the church excavated in the rock and surrounded by other many caves excavated, reminds me a little to the Cappadocia, three great images .
Great color, which gives a lot of force to the image.
Very good brightness and perfect sharpness.
Well done. I like very much.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

clic (76) 2017-10-03 14:58

Ciao Luciano I knew that monks have the tendency to live as social recluses, but not to the point of dwelling in such extremely strict ways of life, as described in your note. Quite a stunning and spectacular men-made monastery; very informative poster. Ciao

macjake (98454) 2017-10-03 15:26

Hi Luciano
hard to imagine living here, thats pretty neat indeed! I wonder if they have wifi hahahaha

looking at the WS photos, this pov is the best because of the warm lighting, it's the best choice, but the WS also have great subject material. so cool to see the church and the actual architecture in the rocks, awesome post, I have to go here
cheers
craig

ricardomattos (17460) 2017-10-03 18:00

Hi Luciano,

Very interesting picture and WSs. Full of stories. Remind me Capadocia. It worths all efforts to submits it for Word Heritage List. Excellent job you did my friend. Thanks for share it.

Warm regards

Ricardo

danos (110407) 2017-10-04 1:21

Ciao Luciano,
Nice the view of all these holes in the rocks with the monastery with the staircases to lead us in it.Impressive the rock excavations with the brilliant light of the day to enhance even more the beauty and the details of the scene.
We have to a lot of Monasteries to are build in holes like this one except of Meteota thar are build on the rocks.

Regards,Danos

ikeharel (113319) 2017-10-04 3:52

Must be a great walk along the train on the cliff, and the sight is awesome, Luciano.
The caves wonderfully shown in perfect lighting, and good choice to add a small part to the valley shown in depth on right.
Ciao,
Ike

sacimar (38173) 2017-10-04 6:30

Hi Luciano,

good images of this site, It must be an interesting place to visit, I think it is impressive how people built the caves and the connections between them, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

COSTANTINO (116452) 2017-10-04 12:20

Ciao Luciano,
Molto interessante foto assomigliano quelli dei sassi di Matera,
e di Cappadocia,,ottimi colori e molto interesante notta
cari saluti
Costantino

jean113 (27853) 2017-10-05 13:28

Hello Luciano, a fascinating place, and you have managed a great point of view.
We are able to see all the details of the rock face, as well as a glimpse of the distant landscape.
Your depth of field is fantastic.
The workshop shots help us to appreciate the scale of the site.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

emka (158128) 2017-10-05 22:01

Ciao Luciano,

Beautiful compositions from this fascinating place. It was fun to visit it and going around all these ladders and steps.

Splendid view in the sunny day.

Kind regrads from Corfu

MAlgo

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2017-10-06 10:38

Oi, Luciano!

Achei esse lugar bem interessante mesmo, acho que jб o vi em alguma reportagem. O lugar й bem legal, com essas muitas cavernas. Boas cores, luz e nitidez tambйm.
Parabйns!

PiotrF (54636) 2017-10-06 14:37

Hello Luciano,
Interesting and unique place. I recently visited another rocky city in Georgia.This town is beautiful.Very nice work, fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

jemaflor (147104) 2017-10-06 15:19

Salut Luciano,
Intйressant paysage avec ces rochers creusйs de grottes transformйes en habitations, c'est bien pris, bon contraste entre ombres et luminositй du soleil.

jmdias (115128) 2017-10-08 5:34

luciano

these caves made me remember those ones I saw in india, there is a parallel between them in therms of religion, caves, mural and abandon. nice perspective.

hugs

jorge

worldcitizen (16068) 2017-10-09 18:22

Ciao Luciano,
It's amazing how this site was constructed so many centuries ago. It must have been dangerous and back-breaking work to create it. I like this main view, with a glimpse of the landscape on the right side. There's a surreal feeling to this place, and I wonder if the remaining monks enjoy living there.

gervaso (28177) 2017-10-17 14:27

Hello, Luciano!

Impressive view of this monastery carved on the rocks, captured with very good light and textures! The perspective is also very nice, helped by those handrails. Wonderful composition, with excellent colors and sharpness! Well done!

delpeoples (60342) 2017-10-31 3:51

Caro Luciano

Vedo che lo Zingaro di Cuggiono e' andata via ancora una volta. Georgia? Impressionante! Il tuo soggetto e' veramente magnifico. Hai ottenuto un gran bel POV, con colori e nitidezza al top. Una foto di un altro livello, complimentoni.

In abbraccione e spero che tutto vada bene con te
Lisa

fritzi007 (14698) 2018-01-11 14:51

Hi Luciano,
Gorgeous colors and report on cave monastery in South Georgia, well done!
Best regards
wolfgang

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-06-20 12:50

Luciano, that ancient monastery was carved in a rocky face. The mountain was digged like a gruyere centuries ago. Today it becomes a site that attracts tourists eager to learn and understand its history. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.