Akhmeta, Kakheti Province, Georgia, June 28, 2024
Photo: ipress.ge
A 6th-century monastery complex in eastern Georgia suffered damage during a tornado that briefly struck on Tuesday.
The National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Georgia reports:
As a result of the natural disaster, the tin covering of the dome has been removed, the roof tiles on the southern slope of the cathedral are damaged, the windows on the western side of the cathedral and the dome are shattered, the tin roof of the bell tower and the tile roof of the episcopal palace are damaged, the balcony of the palace has collapsed, the cross has fallen from the cathedral's dome, and the infrastructure of the surrounding area is damaged.
Photo: wikimedia.org
Employees of the National Agency and local clergy are assessing the extent of the damage. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sport, and Youth Thea Tsulukiani also visited the monastery, and discussed plans for moving forward with His Eminence Metropolitan David of Alaverdi.
Drone footage published by the National Agency show the extent of the damage:
Parts of Alaverdi Monastery date back to the 6th century, when it was founded by the Assyrian Father St. Joseph of Alaverdi. The present-day Cathedral of St. George was built in the 11th century.
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