Ateni
Ateni
a historical village is situated in the Tana gorge 10 kilometres from Gori.
It has been known as an important settlement since VII century. After the
construction of Ateni sioni this is not a town yet. According to
the inscription found on one of the walls of the church the town was built
by the Tsikhistavi (guard of the castle) of Ateni in the 60-ies of XI century.
Since then Ateni had been owned by the Georgian kings. Due to its geographical
position it became a town. The Ateni gorge was rich and fertile for cultivation.
It was the shortest way connecting Shida Kartli with southern Georgia.
In
XVIII century the town was declined due to Lezghin invasions. As a village
and as a little trade area it existed till XIX century.
According
to present day administrative devision it is devided into two parts: Didi
Ateni(on the left bank of the river
Tana) and Patara Ateni (on both sides of the river Tana).
Ateni's
Sioni
is a specimen of monumental architectural art, standing in the outskirts
of the village 12 km from Gori on the left bank of the river Tana on the
edge of a cliff- on the platform which is supported by a wall. The church
dates back to the first half of the VII century. It is a dome and cross-church
(24 x 19,22-height), built of carved square greenish-grey sandstone. Other
stones of different colors are also used. It has got two entrances: southern
and northern ones. The walls of the church contain unique Georgian writings
of different periods inscribed in Georgian capital letters. The murals
completed in the second half of the XI century according to the old Georgian
traditional iconographical scheme. Some fragments of the paintings still
remain a cross, our lady, Christe almightly, 12 desciples, prophets, heralds etc.
The mural is a specimen of Georgian monumental art...
Ateni
Fortress (Orbeliani or Satsive Fortress)
is an architectural monument ( 38,4m x 17,23m ) dating back to X century.
Built of fragmented stones. It is completely damaged. It was ruined during
the earthquake of 1920. It had a secret exit, which was for filling the
reservoir of the fortress. It was of great strategical importance defending
the roads (ways) leading from Shida Kartli to southern Georgia….
The
fortress is almost ruined!
Ateni
Fortress
is situated in the village of Ateni standing on the left bank
of
the river Tana, dating back to X century built of fragmented stones. The
Fortress was badly damaged during the earthquake of 1920. It consists of
two parts. The northern part is comparatively small. The southern one is
larger and more important. The entrance is to the north. Inside the fence
of the fortress there are dwellings for the guards, a reservoire and other
buildings….
The
complex of churches of Tsero
is an architectural monument situated at the head of the Tsero gorge, 2-km
north-west of Ateni Sioni. The complex consists of St. Mary’s
church
and the
ruins of several buildings.
St.
Mary’s Church is dome and cross-church (10,4m x 9,3m) dating back to
about advanced Feudal Epoch, built of square carved stones. There are windows
in all four walls…..
It
is badly damaged!
The
single nave church
(10,0m x 5,0m) dates back to approximately Feudal Epoch. It is built of
fragmented stones and shirimi stones. The entrance is to the south. There
is a water springlet near the church and also agricultural teraces for
cultivation and a reservoir….
It
is badly damaged!
St.
George’s Church
s an architectural monument situated in the center of the village and belongs
to advanced Feudal Epoch. It is a single-nave church (9,3m x 5,9m) built
of cobblestone. The corners, The window and the cornice are made of carved
stone. The eastern facade is also faced with carved stones. In the eastern
facade the head of a bull is ingraved. The church was got two entrances:
the southern and wastern…..
The
building is damaged!
The
attached buildings from the south and west and circular tower are ruined!
Natlismtsemeli
church
is situated on the Right Bank of the river Tana, in the village of Ateni,
dating back to the transitional period of Feudal Epoch. It is built of
fragmented stones. The chapel and the mural are badly damaged. The arched
entrances are to the south and west. The church was covered with paintings.
The fragments of the paintings still can be seen in the altar and on the
walls of the hall….
Okroaant
Church
is in the village of Ateni dating back to late Feudal Epoch, consisting
of two attached churches, both built of square sandstones.
The southern single-nave church was built first, followed by the second
one….
St.
Barbara’s Church standing
on a high hill in the north-west of the village of Ateni belongs to late
Feudal Epoch. It is built of fragmented stones. The entrance is in the
southern wall in the apse hose shoe shape there is a window and two niches.
There is a rectangular window in the southern wall…..
The
building is badly damaged!
There
is a Tower
to the south of the village of Ateni on the left
bank of the river Tana, on a rock. It belongs to XVI-XVII century. It is
built with fragmented stones. It is damaged. Only two stores saved. The
entrance is to the north. In the eastern, western and southern walls of
the second floor there are two embrasures……
St.
Mary’s church
of Vere is an architectural monument standing on the left bank of the Vere
gorge 5,5 km from the village, in the forest, dating back to VII century.
The building is triple-nave basilika (10,7m x 7, 5m) dressed with red and
dark stones inside and outside. Shirimi stone is also used. The church
has three entrances: northern, southern and western….
The
building is badly damaged!
St.
Mary’s Church of Orsakdary
is an architectural monument standing on the Right Bank of the river Vere
2k. East from the village dates back to late Feudal Epoch. It is a single-nave
church (11,8m x 6,9m), built of square sandstones. Shirimi stone is also
used….
The
building is in bad condition!
Vere
(Azrati, Bere)
fortress
is an architectural monument standing on the bank of the river Vere
in the Tana gorge on a high hill 3 km. North-west of the village. It is
built of cobblestones. The fortress is strategically well placed. To the
west and east there are towers of different size and form, there is a large
pool (reservoire) in the yard. One can get a good view of Tana and Gori
from here. The building belongs to IX-X century….
St.
Nino’ s Church is an archeological monument, standing in the village,
belongs to the late Feudal Epoch. It is a single-nave church (7,85m x 5,80m),
built of square sandstones. It has two entrances to the south and to the
north….
It
is badly damaged!
St.
George’s church ofDanakhvisiis
an architectural monument, standing on the top of a hill 7-km south-west
of the village, dating back to early Feudal Epoch. It is single-nave, built
with fragmented stones. The entrance is in the southern part of the church….
The building is ruined!
General
Information | Historical
Monuments | About
Us | E-mail Us