SAINT-GEORGES MONASTERY

This small ^9th-century monastery is one of the finest architectural achievements of Imeretian religious art. It has an unusual appearance for a Georgian complex, resembling more a fortified monastery of the early European Middle Ages. While Georgian churches and monasteries are often built of cut stone or brick, Oubissa is a rare case built of exposed round stone - giving it the air of a Burgundian village. The grey-black tones of the stones are also unusual. The monastery is made up of three buildings within the walled enclosure, whose size ratios combine beautifully to give it a very distinctive silhouette. The covered porch is particularly wide, and is itself shaped like a small church. The small ^9th-century basilica has a particularly precious interior: a ^14th-century mural cycle. The masterpieces of the cycle are the Last Supper and the Nativity. The cycle was created by the artist Damiane. A strong influence of the Byzantine Palaeologos dynasty is evident. The third building is a four-storey tower dating from 1141, which served as the residence of the monastery's dean. The whole is very sophisticated and slender, despite a chivalrous appearance due to the fortification and the color of the stones. The monks of Oubissa seem particularly modern: they use a solar panel! Apart from that, they sell delicious and highly-regarded honey, so don't hesitate to buy some and bring it back in your suitcase.