Iqalto Monastery: Hotels and Accommodation

Iqalto Monastery combines sacred buildings with the history of a medieval educational institution. The monastery complex includes the Trinity Church from the 6th century, the Church of the Transfiguration from the 8th–9th century, and the All Saints Church from the 12th–13th century. The academy was an important educational institution in medieval Georgia and was founded in the 11th–12th century by Arsen Ikaltoeli. Anyone wishing to book a hotel at Iqalto Monastery can continue their accommodation search afterward.

Geographical Location

Iqalto lies on the northeastern flank of the Gombori Range, 7 kilometers from Telavi. The site is situated on a slope; the path between the churches is so uneven that sturdy footwear is required.

Culture and History

Fifty-nine churches and monasteries are associated with Iqalto and form part of the village’s historical and cultural heritage. Iqalto had city status in the 4th century. In the 6th century, a monastery was founded here by the Assyrian Father Zenon. Local tradition holds that Shota Rustaveli studied in Iqalto.

The Iqalto Academy was the first institution of higher education in Georgia. Teaching followed the trivium and quadrivium system. Subjects included theology, astronomy, philosophy, geography, geometry, viticulture, and pharmacology. The academy also taught blacksmithing, pottery, viticulture, and winemaking. The Shotaoba celebration takes place annually in Iqalto on the last Sunday in October.

Archaeology

The Iqalto Monastery complex preserves an academy building, a refectory, a wine cellar, and the remains of six churches and several other buildings. Ruins of classrooms and a refectory are visible on the upper terrace. The ruins of the Iqalto Academy also preserve the remains of a cathedra and windows with shelves.

Archaeological excavations around the academy have identified former workshops, a wine cellar, a forge, and agricultural buildings. Visitors can also see a large stone wine press that has been preserved in Georgia.

Food and Wine

Chateau Ikalto offers Georgian and European dishes as well as Kakhetian wine.

Other destinations: Sighnaghi, Shilda, Ujarma, Udabno, Vardisubani

To the main travel overview: Kakheti.

More about the destination

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