Zarzma Monastery
Early 14th-century Transfiguration monastery in a wooded valley west of Akhaltsikhe, with Jaqeli portraits and a tall bell tower.
Zarzma MonasteryPhoto: Jaba1977, CC BY-SA 4.0Zarzma Monastery stands in the village of Zarzma in Adigeni municipality, about 30 km west of Akhaltsikhe, in a wooded valley on the road towards the Goderdzi Pass. Its church of the Transfiguration dates from the early 14th century and was paid for by Beka I Jaqeli, prince of Samtskhe. It is a tall domed church with fine carved stonework, and next to it rises a free-standing bell tower from the same period.
Inside, the walls are covered in paintings, including 14th-century portraits of the Jaqeli rulers Sargis I, Beka I, Sargis II and Kvarkvare I on the lower south wall, and figures added in the 16th century. The murals were damaged during the Ottoman period, but enough survives to make the detour worthwhile. The church was so admired that in 1899 to 1902 a copy of it was built in nearby Abastumani for a Russian grand duke. Zarzma sees few visitors and is quiet most of the year.
History
Tradition credits the founding of the monastery to the monk Serapion of Zarzma, whose life was written by his pupil Basil. The first church was probably built in the 8th century, though some sources place it in the 6th or 7th. The present church of the Transfiguration and its bell tower were built in the early 14th century under Beka I Jaqeli. In 1577 the Khursidze family, the new patrons, converted the bell tower into a church. Ottoman rule later damaged the paintings.
What to see and do
- See the Jaqeli family portraits on the lower south wall
- Look up at the 14th-century free-standing bell tower
- Compare it with its 1899-1902 copy, the Alexander Nevsky church in Abastumani
- Continue towards the Goderdzi Pass in summer
How to visit
Getting there
Zarzma is about 30 km west of Akhaltsikhe via Adigeni, roughly 40 minutes by car. A taxi from Akhaltsikhe is the simplest option.
When to go
May to October. Plan 1 hour here.
- Combine with Abastumani for a half day west of Akhaltsikhe
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees, headscarves for women
- Ask before taking photos inside
Zarzma Monastery: FAQ
Where is Zarzma Monastery?
In the village of Zarzma in Adigeni municipality, about 30 km west of Akhaltsikhe in Samtskhe-Javakheti. It lies a few kilometres west of the small town of Adigeni.
How old is Zarzma Monastery?
The monastery was founded around the 8th century by the monk Serapion, but the church you see today and its bell tower were built in the early 14th century under Beka I Jaqeli.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Zarzma Monastery.
