Sunday, June 5, 2016

Kutaisi, Georgia

Kutaisi is Georgia's second largest city (next to Tbilisi). It has two UNESCO World Heritage religious sites, and a modern fountain that is probably worthy of that accolade. We first visited the Gelati Monastery complex. The Church of the Virgin Mary is the centerpiece, with wonderful old frescoes and some even more ancient mosaics. 

The contrast between the devout worshipers...



... and the avid photographers and selfie-takers was amusing but a bit jarring.


Some worshipers just found a quiet, plain corner.


In the Bagrati Cathedral we heard some of the lovely polyphonic singing for which Georgia is famous. Here a woman was teaching some young people.


Outside there was a professional group that gave an impromptu concert of secular songs.


In the central square of Kutaisi is this wonderful fountain, with the figures based on enlargements of ancient gold figurines from the Colchis civilization.



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