Potoleti Church

About this activity

Potoleti Church in Borjomi: A Historical and Architectural Overview

The Borjomi region of Georgia, nestled in the picturesque Borjomi Gorge, has long been recognized for its historical and cultural significance. The discovery of its mineral springs in the 1820s propelled Borjomi to prominence, attracting visitors and becoming associated with the Russian Imperial dynasty. Beyond its natural allure, the region boasts a rich collection of architectural monuments, encompassing both churches and castles. Among these historical treasures stands Potoleti Church, an ancient monument within the Borjomi municipality that offers a glimpse into Georgia’s rich religious and cultural past. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Potoleti Church, drawing upon available research to explore its location, history, architectural characteristics, artistic and historical features, associated narratives, current status, accessibility, and recent developments.

Potoleti Church is situated within the Borjomi municipality, specifically 5 kilometers to the south of Akhaldaba, nestled in the area known as the Potoleti forest. Multiple sources corroborate this location, placing it in a serene and relatively secluded setting. One account notes its position 18 kilometers to the northeast of Borjomi, which might reflect a different method of measurement or a different reference point within the municipality. The journey to the church from Akhaldaba covers a distance of approximately 4.3 kilometers and can be undertaken by car in about 10 minutes or on foot in roughly 1.5 hours, following the road that leads into the Potoleti forest. The environment surrounding Potoleti Church is frequently described as remarkable, characterized by a dense forest and a plain area situated at the end of a hill. This elevated location offers expansive views of Akhaldaba and the gorge it overlooks, promising a visually rewarding experience for visitors. The tranquility of the forest setting, coupled with the beauty of the landscape, particularly the vibrant colors during autumn, enhances the church’s appeal as both a historical and scenic destination. For those traveling from the capital, Akhaldaba is located approximately 144 kilometers from Tbilisi, a journey that typically takes around 2 hours by car. This provides a broader geographical context for understanding the church’s accessibility from a major urban center. It is worth noting that Daba St. George’s Church, another religious site in the Borjomi region, is described as being hidden within a dense forest and not visible from the road. While this description pertains to a different church, it prompts consideration of whether Potoleti Church shares a similar sense of seclusion within its forested location.

The establishment of Potoleti Church is believed to date back to the 9th century. Historical accounts suggest it was founded in the 40s of the 9th century by Christopher, a student of St. Grigol Khandzteli, as the monastery of Kvirike Tsminda. This founding places the church within a significant era of Georgian religious history, marked by the influence of prominent monastic figures like St. Grigol Khandzteli and the flourishing of monastic traditions. Another account mentions the founding of a monastery in the same area by Grigol Khandzteli’s disciples, Christephore and Theodore, also in the 9th century. While there is a slight difference in the names of the disciples mentioned, both accounts firmly place the church’s origins in the 9th century and associate it with the circle of St. Grigol Khandzteli, a key figure in the monastic movement of that time. This connection situates Potoleti Church within the broader context of religious and cultural development in the Tao-Klarjeti region, a known center of significant activity during the 9th and 10th centuries. Historical sources indicate that the monastery’s function ceased in the 14th century, leading to a period where it became empty and eventually forgotten. This decline likely occurred due to a combination of historical factors that affected the region, such as invasions, political instability, or shifts in religious influence. The fact that the monastery was “forgotten” for centuries underscores the extent of its decline and the potential for significant damage or decay over time. However, in 2007, a significant revival took place, with efforts made to restore the monastery and church to their original appearance. This restoration marks a renewed commitment to preserving Georgia’s historical and cultural heritage. As part of this revival, the restored temple was renamed Potoleti Church in 2007, a name derived from its location within the Potoleti forest. This renaming signifies a re-establishment of the church’s identity after its long period of abandonment. Alongside the church, the Father’s Monastery was also restored in 2007, indicating a resurgence of monastic life at the site. This suggests the presence of a dedicated community or group interested in its religious revival. It is important to note a recent scholarly analysis of graffiti from Potoleti Church, as mentioned in a news article, which challenges the long-held belief that Potoleti Church is the same as the Kviriketsmida monastery founded by Christopher. This contradicts the information found in other sources, highlighting an ongoing academic discussion and the need for careful consideration of different historical interpretations.

Detailed information regarding the architectural style of Potoleti Church is not readily available in the provided research material. Despite this limitation, the fact that restoration efforts in 2007 aimed to reinstate the church’s original form suggests that discernible architectural elements from its past were either preserved or documented. To gain a broader understanding of the potential architectural characteristics, it is useful to consider the prevalent styles of 9th-10th century Georgian churches in the Borjomi region. Several sources describe the Green Monastery (Mtsvane Monastery), situated near Borjomi and believed to have been constructed during this period, as a three-nave basilica. This monastery was built using coarsely hewn ashlar and rubble, with key structural components fashioned from a distinctive green-tinged ashlar. Given the temporal and geographical proximity of Potoleti Church to the Green Monastery, it is plausible that Potoleti Church might have shared some architectural similarities, perhaps also exhibiting a basilica-style design. However, without specific details, this remains an inference based on the regional architectural trends of the time. Furthermore, one source notes the “extraordinary beauty” of both Potoleti Church and the Green Monastery, hinting at a potential shared aesthetic appeal, particularly in the winter landscape. While this is a subjective observation, it suggests that both sites possess visual qualities that are considered remarkable. It is also worth considering that while domed churches became a prominent architectural form in Georgia, the 9th century still saw the construction of basilica-style churches, making it necessary to seek more specific architectural details for Potoleti Church to determine its precise style.

Archaeological excavations at Potoleti Church have unearthed significant artistic and historical artifacts, providing valuable insights into its past. One notable discovery was a 10th-century iconostasis described as “excellent”. This iconostasis, a screen of icons crucial to Eastern Orthodox church interiors, indicates a significant artistic and religious element of the church’s original structure. The term “excellent” suggests that this artifact was likely well-preserved or of high artistic merit, making its discovery particularly important for understanding the church’s early decoration. The iconostasis featured a tile with triangular corners, adorned with a relief depicting deer standing opposite each other. Animal motifs in religious art often carry symbolic weight, and the deer in this context might have represented concepts such as purity or solitude. Further research into the specific symbolism of deer in Georgian religious art of the 10th century could provide a deeper understanding of this motif’s significance. This tile from the iconostasis was later used for the decoration of a cornice, an ornamental molding typically found below the ceiling. This repurposing of an iconostasis element might indicate changes in the church’s interior design over time or a specific architectural feature of the original construction. Another significant archaeological find was an “interesting crypt” with stone walls and a stone tile roof. Crypts in religious sites often served as burial places, particularly for important figures associated with the church. The description of this crypt as “interesting” suggests it might possess unique architectural characteristics or contain notable findings. The stone tile roof of the crypt bore mixed inscriptions in Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli scripts. These are two distinct Georgian scripts, with Nuskhuri primarily used for religious texts and Mkhedruli evolving into the standard script for secular and general purposes. The coexistence of both scripts in the crypt’s inscriptions suggests a period of transition or overlap in their usage, potentially dating the inscriptions to the 10th-12th centuries or later, given that the oldest known Mkhedruli inscription dates to 982 AD. These inscriptions serve as significant historical markers, offering potential insights into the individuals buried in the crypt or important events associated with the church. Additionally, various other periodical inscriptions discovered at the site are currently under study, indicating ongoing research that could further illuminate the history and significance of Potoleti Church through its epigraphic evidence. An inscription on a damaged stone dating back to 985 AD was found in the same region. This discovery reinforces the historical activity in the Borjomi area around the late 10th century, potentially aligning with the timeframe of the iconostasis and the early use of the Mkhedruli script found at Potoleti Church.

Historical records indicate that during the 13th and 14th centuries, the Potoleti monastery underwent a period of significant expansion and fortification. The complex grew to include 12 churches and chapels and was enclosed by a wall equipped with an observation tower and a fortress. This substantial growth and the addition of defensive structures suggest that the monastery held considerable importance in the region during the late medieval period, possibly serving as a major religious and community center. The presence of fortifications also reflects the turbulent historical context of Georgia, which experienced numerous invasions and conflicts, highlighting the need for religious communities to provide refuge and protection for themselves and the local population. Like many religious sites in Georgia, Potoleti monastery also experienced the impact of the Soviet era. It was converted into a Pioneer youth camp, a common practice that repurposed religious buildings for secular uses. However, with the changing political landscape, its monastic status was reclaimed in 1988, marking a significant step in the revival of religious life at the site. This conversion and subsequent return to its original purpose underscore the profound shifts in Georgia’s socio-political history. While specific legends directly associated with Potoleti Church are not mentioned in the provided material, the discovery of scattered bones of monks in the church courtyard hints at a potentially violent past. This finding could be indicative of invasions or conflicts that affected the monastery, similar to the experiences of the nearby Green Monastery, which is associated with a legend of monks being massacred by invaders.

Potoleti Church was revived in 2007 and is described as representing a “live history”. This suggests that it is currently an active religious site, likely holding regular services and potentially housing a resident clergy. The restoration of the Father’s Monastery alongside the church further supports its active religious status, indicating a functioning monastic community. However, specific information regarding public access and visiting hours is not explicitly provided in the available research. This lack of detail might imply that visiting is generally permitted but without fixed hours, or that access could be restricted or require prior arrangements. For individuals planning a visit, further investigation into the current accessibility and any specific visiting guidelines would be advisable.

Visual documentation of Potoleti Church is available through online resources. Wikimedia Commons hosts a collection of images within the “Akhaldaba” category, specifically in the subcategory titled “Potoleti church (10 F)”. The presence of ten files in this dedicated category suggests a visual record of the church’s exterior and possibly some interior details. One particular image, captured on November 6, 2021, showcases the exterior of Potoleti Church. The availability of these images allows for a visual exploration of the church’s setting and architectural features, even in the absence of detailed descriptions in the text. Other snippets refer to general images of churches and the Borjomi region but do not specifically feature the interior of Potoleti Church. Therefore, while some visual information is accessible, comprehensive imagery, particularly of the interior, might require further searching beyond the provided snippets.

Recent developments related to Potoleti Church include mentions in local news and academic discussions. Archbishop Seraphime reportedly spoke about the Potoleti Fathers’ Monastery during a visit to a university, highlighting its religious significance and the belief in miracles associated with the site. Although the exact date of this event is not specified, it indicates the church’s continued relevance in the religious life of the region. Furthermore, a news article published on “antiquitesofgeorgia.wordpress.com” discusses graffiti found at Potoleti Church and presents an argument against the prevailing identification of Potoleti Church with the Kviriketsmida monastery. While the precise date of this publication is not given, its categorization as news suggests a relatively recent scholarly engagement with the site’s history and identity. This ongoing academic debate underscores the complexities of interpreting historical evidence and the potential for revisions in our understanding of Potoleti Church’s origins.

In conclusion, Potoleti Church in the Borjomi region stands as a testament to Georgia’s rich historical and religious heritage. Founded in the 9th century, likely through the influence of St. Grigol Khandzteli’s monastic movement, the church experienced periods of flourishing and decline before its significant revival in 2007. Its location within the serene Potoleti forest near Akhaldaba adds to its appeal, offering a tranquil setting for contemplation and historical exploration. Archaeological discoveries, such as the 10th-century iconostasis with its unique deer motif and the crypt bearing inscriptions in Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli scripts, provide tangible links to the church’s medieval past, underscoring its artistic and historical significance. While specific details regarding its architectural style and public visiting hours remain somewhat limited in the current research, the available information, coupled with online visual resources, paints a picture of a historically and culturally important site that continues to hold religious significance. Ongoing scholarly discussions, particularly regarding its early identity, further highlight the enduring legacy and the continued interest in unraveling the complete history of Potoleti Church.