View source for Jvari Monastery

{{Short description|Monastery in Georgia (country)}}
:''The name of this monastery translated as the "Monastery of the Cross". For other monasteries named after the cross, see [[Monastery of the Cross (disambiguation)]].''
{{Infobox religious building
|building_name= Jvari Monastery
|image= Georgia Jvari monastery IMG 9345 2070.jpg
|caption=Jvari Monastery
|location=[[Mtskheta]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|geo=
|religious_affiliation=[[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgian Orthodox]]
|district=
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|architecture_type=[[Church (building)|Church]]
|architecture_style= [[Tetraconch]]
|facade_direction=
|year_completed= 586-605 [[Common Era|AD]], by King [[Stephen I of Iberia|Stephen I]] of Kartli (Iberia)
|construction_cost=
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|height_max= 25 m
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| designated              =
| designation1            = WHS
| designation1_offname    = Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
| designation1_date       = 1994 <small> (18th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_type       = Cultural
| designation1_criteria   = iii, iv
| designation1_number     = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/708 708]
| designation1_free1name  = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe]]
}}
'''Jvari Monastery''' ({{Lang-ka|ჯვრის მონასტერი}}) is a sixth-century [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] monastery near [[Mtskheta]], eastern Georgia. Jvari is a rare case of an Early Medieval Georgian church that has survived to the present day almost unchanged. The church became the founder of its type, the [[Jvari type]] of church architecture, prevalent in Georgia and [[Armenia]]. Built atop of [[Jvari Mount]] (656 m a.s.l.), the monastery is an example of harmonious connection with the [[natural environment]], characteristic to medieval Georgian architecture. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, the monastery was listed as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1994.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web|url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/708 |title = Historical Monuments of Mtskheta |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 27 Feb 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountaintop at the confluence of the [[Mtkvari]] and [[Aragvi]] rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the [[Kingdom of Iberia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Iberia]].

According to traditional accounts, on this location in the early 4th century [[Saint Nino]], a female evangelist credited with [[Christianization of Iberia|converting]] King [[Mirian III of Iberia]] to [[Christianity]], erected a large wooden (or vine) cross on the site of a pagan temple. The cross was reportedly able to work miracles and therefore drew pilgrims from all over the [[Caucasus]]. A small church was erected over the remnants of the wooden cross in c.545 during the rule of [[Guaram I of Iberia|Guaram I]], and named the "Small Church of Jvari", which can still be seen adjacent to the main church from the north.

The small church did not satisfy the needs of popular pilgrimage site, and the present building, or "Great Church of Jvari", is generally held to have been built between 590 and 605 by [[Guaram I of Iberia|Guaram's]] son [[Stephen I of Iberia|Erismtavari Stepanoz I]]. This is based on the [[Jvari inscriptions]] on its facade which mentions the principal builders of the church: Stephanos the patricius, Demetrius the hypatos, and Adarnase the hypatos. Professor [[Cyril Toumanoff]] disagrees with this view, identifying these individuals as [[Stephen II of Iberia|Stepanoz II]], Demetre (brother of Stepanoz I), and [[Adarnase II of Iberia|Adarnase II]] (son of Stepanoz II), respectively.<ref name="Rapp">Rapp, Stephen H. (2003), ''Studies In Medieval Georgian Historiography: Early Texts And Eurasian Contexts'', p. 344. Peeters Bvba {{ISBN|90-429-1318-5}}.</ref> Nino's cross remained inside of the church, and its original postament can still be found here.

In 914, during the [[Sajid invasion of Georgia]], the church was burned by [[Arabs]], but it managed to survive with only minor repairments.

The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. In the late [[Middle Ages]], the complex was fortified by a stone wall and gate, remnants of which still survive. During the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet period]], the church was preserved as a national monument, but access was rendered difficult by tight security at a nearby military base. After the independence of Georgia, the building was restored to active religious use. Jvari was listed together with other monuments of Mtskheta in 1994 as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].

However, over the centuries the structures suffered damage from rain and wind [[erosion]] and inadequate maintenance. Jvari was listed in the [[2004 World Monuments Watch]] list by the [[World Monuments Fund]].

==Architecture==
[[File:ჯვრის მამათა მონასტერი.jpg|right|300 px|thumb|Jvari Monastery. View from the southeast]]
Jvari is an example of a harmonic relationship between architecture and nature. The temple, which appears to be growing from the mountain, was built on a cliff. The western facade, strengthened by a controforse wall, nearly hangs over the precipice.<ref>Джанберидзе Н., Мачабели К. (1981) Тбилиси. Мцхета. Москва: Искусство, 255 c. (In Russian)</ref>

It has two entrances, from the north and from the south. The building has the shape of a cross, prolonged from east to west, with each arm ended by semicircular [[apses]].<ref>Закарая, П. (1983) Памятники Восточной Грузии. Искусство, Москва, 376 с. (In Russian)</ref> The Jvari church is an early example of a "four-apsed church with four niches"<ref>J-M. Thierry & P. Donabedian, "Armenian Art" p67.</ref> domed [[tetraconch]]. Between the four apses are three-quarter cylindrical niches, which are open to the central space, and the transition from the square central bay to the base of the dome's drum is effected through three rows of [[squinches]], an architectural achievement of its time. The lower row is made of four larger squinches, the two upper of smaller squinches, and finally the row of 32 facets, holding the dome. Thus, the dome rests on the walls, not on pillars, like in later churches, creating a single, entire space, and illusion of large size, although the church is less than 25 m high. Presence of high transitionary niches between the main space and the four small rooms is another trick of the architect, who wanted to diminish the contrast between large and small spaces.<ref>Джанберидзе Н., Мачабели К. (1981) Тбилиси. Мцхета. Москва: Искусство, 255 c. (In Russian)</ref> The Jvari church had a great impact on the further development of [[Architecture of Georgia (country)|Georgian architecture]] and served as a model for many other churches.
[[File:Monasterio de Jvari, Miskheta, Georgia, 2016-09-29, DD 08-10 HDR.jpg|300 px|left|thumb|The view of the dome and the squinches inside the church]]

The leading element of the building, the dome, has an 8-faceted [[tholobate]]. Under the dome, near the center of the interior, stands a postament, surrounded by an octagon, important artistic addition, which was originally at the base of Nino's cross, but now holds a new wooden cross. The four cylindrical niches between the apses lead to four rooms: two in the eastern part, the altar and the [[sacristy]], and two in the western, prayer rooms for the ruler (northwestern) and for women (southwestern). A writing above the latter room tells that its construction was funded by unknown Timistia. It also has a flat relief with depiction of the Ascension of Christ. Internal walls were originally covered with [[ashlar]], and later plastered and painted in frescos, little of which survived.
[[Image:Ascension of the cross.JPG|300px|thumb|Ascension of the Cross, bas-relief above the southern entrance of the Jvari Monastery]]
Varied [[bas-relief]] sculptures with [[Hellenistic]] and [[Sassanian]] influences decorate its external observable eastern and southern façades, some of which are accompanied by explanatory inscriptions in Georgian [[Asomtavruli]] script. The entrance [[Tympanum (architecture)|tympanum]] on the southern façade is adorned with a relief of the Glorification of the Cross, the same façade also shows an [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension of Christ]], a rather prevalent theme in Early Christian art. The cross, which is a traditional [[Bolnisi cross]], is held by two angels. Northern façade is closed by a small earlier built church, as well as the western, visible from afar, are not decorated. Each window on the eastern façade has a decorative knob. Each of the three facets of the eastern apsis has a [[bas-relief]], depicting rulers and noblemen. The left shows [[Demetrius the Hypatos|Demetre]], the brother of [[Stephanos I of Iberia|Stepanoz I]]. The central depicts [[Stephanos I of Iberia|Stepanoz I]] in front of the [[Christ]], which is also explained on the writing. The right bas-relief has [[Adrnerse the Hypatos]] with his son and [[archangels]] [[Gabriel]] and [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] flying above, but the identity is unclear, and some connect it with [[Adarnase I of Iberia|Adarnase I]] or [[Adarnase II of Iberia|Adarnase II]]. Another bas-relief, with [[Stephen II of Iberia|Stepanoz II]] in front of the [[Christ]], is found on the southern apsis. Possibly, the church architect, a kneeling figure, is depicted on the southern facet of the [[tholobate]].
[[File:Dschwari Kirchenfenster 2.jpg|left|300 px|thumb|Decorations of the eastern apsis: knobs and bas-reliefs]]

The small Guaram's church, quadrangular in general proportions, has a cross-shaped interior. It is connected to a portal from the north, with the entrance to the church here and from the south. The church walls are covered by well-processed blocks. The [[semi-dome|conch]] was covered in mosaic, but only a fragment remains. A decorated niche is meant for the [[katolikos]] of Georgia. The southern entrance is decorated by [[Capital (architecture)|capitals]] with ornamental leaves. A portal also connects the two churches.

The monastery complex is surrounded by remnants of walls with towers. The entrance with the gate was from the east.

Uncertainty over, and debate about, the date of the church's construction have assumed nationalist undertones in Georgia and Armenia. Each nation claims to have invented the "four-apsed church with four niches" form exhibited by Jvari.

<gallery>
File:Bas-relief of Jvari monastery (1).jpg|[[Demetrius the Hypatos|Demetre the Hypatos]]. Eastern façade.
File:Dschwari Relief 2.jpg|[[Stephen I of Iberia|Stepanoz I]] in front of the Christ. Eastern façade.
File:Bas-relief of Jvari monastery (3).jpg|[[Adarnase I of Iberia|Adarnase]] with son. Eastern façade.
File:Adarnase praying before Jesus Christ - Jvari Monastery bas relief.JPG|A 7th-century bas-relief from the Monastery of the Holy Cross at Mtskheta, Georgia. It depicts the 7th-century Georgian prince [[Adarnase I of Iberia|Adarnase]] praying before Jesus Christ.
</gallery>

== Threats ==
The monastery is currently under threat from erosion caused by acid rain and strong winds.<ref>[http://www.international.icomos.org/risk/world_report/2006-2007/pdf/H@R_2006-2007_17_National_Report_Georgia.pdf ICOMOS Heritage at Risk 2006/2007: Jvari (Holy Cross) Monastery in Mtskheta]</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Georgia, Mtskheta, Jivari. Detail on outer south wall..jpg|Georgia, Mtskheta, Jvari monastery. Stone carved relief on outer South wall.
Image:Jivari, Mtskheta. Interior..jpg|Jvari monastery, Mtskheta. Interior view with big wooden cross.
Image:Monasterio de Jvari, Miskheta, Georgia, 2016-09-29, DD 08-10 HDR.jpg|View of the cross and dome.
Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery, Georgia.jpg|Access road
Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery, Candlelight 2, Georgia.jpg|Icons and altars
Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery, Church, Walls, Georgia.jpg|Entrance
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}

== References ==
{{Refbegin}}
*Abashidze, Irakli. Ed. ''Georgian Encyclopedia. Vol. IX.'' Tbilisi, Georgia: 1985.
*ALTER, Alexandre. ''A la croisée des temps.'' Edilivre Publications: Paris, - (novel)- 2012. {{ISBN|978-2-332-46141-4}}
*Amiranashvili, Shalva. ''History of Georgian Art.'' Khelovneba: Tbilisi, Georgia: 1961.
*Джанберидзе Н., Мачабели К. (1981) Тбилиси. Мцхета. Москва: Искусство, 255 c. (In Russian)
*Grigol Khantsteli. ''Chronicles of Georgia.''
*Закарая, П. (1983) Памятники Восточной Грузии. Искусство, Москва, 376 с. (In Russian)
*Rosen, Roger. ''Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus.'' Odyssey Publications: Hong Kong, 1999. {{ISBN|962-217-748-4}}
{{Refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last1=Eastmond |first1=Antony |title=Art on the Edge: The Church of the Holy Cross, Jvari, Georgia |journal=The Art Bulletin |date=2023 |volume=105 |issue=1 |pages=64–92 |doi=10.1080/00043079.2022.2109388}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jvari monastery}}
*[http://www.parliament.ge/~lika/ancient/jvari/jvari_show.htm Georgian government site]
*[http://expo.khi.fi.it/gallery/georgia/katli/javari-church-mtskheta/view?set_language=en Max Planck Institute]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080525084138/http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID%3D31170%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html UNESCO site]

{{Georgian Churches}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Georgia}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|41|50|19|N|44|44|02|E|region:GE_type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:545 establishments]]
[[Category:605]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 6th century]]
[[Category:Georgian Orthodox monasteries]]
[[Category:Georgian Orthodox churches in Mtskheta]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Georgia (country)]]