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human settlement

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David Gareja Monastery Complex

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Someday we will visit David Gareja Monastery Complex or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

David Gareja Monastery Complex

David Gareja is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex in the Kakheti region of Georgia.

The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli), one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived in the country at the same time. His disciples Dodo and Luciane expanded the original lavra and founded two other monasteries known as Dodo's Rka (literally, "the horn of Dodo") and Natlismtsemeli ("the Baptist"). The monastery saw further development under the guidance of the 9th-century Georgian saint Ilarion. The convent was particularly patronized by the Georgian royal and noble families. The 12th-century Georgian king Demetre I, the author of the famous Georgian hymn Thou Art a Vineyard, even chose David Gareja as a place of his confinement after he abdicated the throne.

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