Doliskana (Georgian: დოლისყანა, Turkish: Dolishane) is a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery in the Medieval Georgian kingdom of Klarjeti (modern-day Artvin Province of Turkey). It was used as a mosque, now abandoned. Its construction was finished in the mid-10th century, during the rule of Sumbat I of Iberia. It is located high above the right bank of the Imerkhevi River.
| Doliskana Monastery | |
|---|---|
დოლისყანის მონასტერი | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Georgian Orthodox |
| Location | |
| Location | Province of Artvin, Northeast Turkey (historic Georgian principality of Klarjeti) |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Monastery, Church |
| Completed | tenth century |
History
Doliskana, as a settlement, also predated the construction of the monastery. According to the son of Sumbat, David, in January 826, the army of Ashot Kurapalat was stationed in the territory of Doliskana when he was suddenly killed by enemies. The monastery has stood here since the 10th century, although the exact date of its foundation is undetermined and several versions exist.[1]
The inscriptions
On the exterior walls of the church are several short inscriptions in Georgian Asomtavruli script. One mentions the prince and titular king Sumbat I of Iberia.[2] The inscriptions have been dated to the first half of the 10th century.[3]
References
Bibliography
- Marr, Nicholas, The Diary of travel in Shavsheti and Klarjeti, St. Petersburg, 1911
- Djobadze, Wachtang, Early medieval Georgian monasteries in historical Tao, Klarjeti and Shavsheti, 2007
- Shoshiashvili, N. Lapidary Inscriptions, I, Tbilisi, 1980
External links
41°09′57″N 41°57′08″E / 41.16583°N 41.95222°E