Kartli

Right The Cathedral of Our Lady in the monastery complex of Gelati near Kutaisi, in the Imereti region of Georgia. It was founded by King Davit IV in 1106 and was consecrated in 1130 by King Demetre I. The monastery was also an academy of science. A 16th century mural in the cathedral shows various recognisable historical figures (above). These are, from right to left, the founder King Davit IV (r. 1089 1125), with a model church; Catholicos Yevdemon Chkhetidze; King Bagrat III of Imereti (r. 1510 1565), his wife Elena, and their son King Giorgi II of Imereti (r. 1565 1585), and Prince Bagrat.

The Golden Age of the Kingdom of Georgia

The Caucasus is a region where nations have often found themselves sandwiched between competing great powers. Christoph Baumer examines the political intrigues and military struggles that led to the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Georgia, while taking in some of the key monuments from the era.