On the lush tree-shaded bank of Alazan River you can find a wonderful creation of ancient architects – Monastery Nekresi, including a wide variety of buildings. Each of them has been built at different times, while retaining flavor of his era. That is why any tour operator in Georgia is absolutely right in saying that here converge in one place a variety of historical periods. The carried out archaeological research helped establish that the earliest building here refers to the fourth century of our era.Found documents helped to establish that it was erected in honor of the official selection of the Georgian rulers in favor of the adoption of Christianity. After a half-century in the complex there was a temple of the Holy Virgin Mary, as well as the Dome Church made in the best traditions of Georgian architecture.
If you choose the last minute tours in Georgia in order to enjoy the unique sights, here you exactly like it. After years of restoration work, the authorities managed to restore every building in its original form. For example, 3-aisled basilica, referring to the fourth century, was built under the direction of Trdat the ruler. The architects of that time decided to use a rough stone. The foundation of the building was made especially great to here could accommodate tomb.
Another important attraction here is Nekresi monastery, dating from the mid-sixteenth century. There restorers managed to restore not only the external decoration but also the numerous murals and mosaics. Found historical documents indicate that there functioned one of the cultural and spiritual centers not only of Kakheti, but the whole of Georgia. Scientists have also been able to establish that the temple complex repeatedly became victim of the raids of the Persians.
The most popular among tourists are many legends associated with the monastery. One of them says that one day in the complex was attacked by bloodthirsty Muslim fanatics. The priests, who did not have any weapons, decided to give short weight outer wall complex carcasses of pigs. Muslim invaders, seeing as pork, decided to abandon the original plan, returning to his homeland. Since then, the pig became known as the protector of the temple complex.