Georgian President Calls for Urgent restoration of David Gareji Complex
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, April 22
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili says that one of the most important historic and religious sites of Georgia – David Gareji, built in the 6th century and enlisted in Europe’s 7 Most Endangered Heritage – needs to be rehabilitated as fast as possible.
Zurabishvili visited the monastery complex together with the representatives of Europa Nostra, a pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage representing citizens’ organizations that work on safeguarding Europe's cultural and natural heritage, which included the site into the list of the most endangered places.
"It is clear that it is necessary to restore this monument very quickly. That is why Europa Nostra declared Davit Gareji as a monument in danger. It is necessary to start the restoration of the complex as soon as possible,” she said.
The President also added that it is also necessary to “urgently resolve the issue of determination of the border.”
Part of the David Gareji complex is located on the territory of neighboring Azerbaijan and has become subject to a border dispute between the two countries.
The area is also home to protected animal species and evidence of some of the oldest human habitations in the region.
Europa Nostra published a technical report on the rehabilitation of the David Gareji Monasteries and Hermitages in Georgia, following a nomination made by the Georgian Arts and Culture Center, the country representation of Europa Nostra in Georgia.
The organization found main threats to the site that can be identified: Degradation of the physical structure and the artworks and vandalism and graffiti.
Europa Nostra recommended that the most feasible step forward would be to prioritize the sites that are at the greatest risk.
It also added that in parallel with the physical works to protect the sites, economic developments will need to be initiated to ensure the sites’ perpetuity.
“There is a lot of potential to develop the area into a viable destination for sustainable cultural tourism,” the report reads.
In addition to visiting David Gareji complex, Zurabishvili joined other leaders in the Cultural Heritage for the Future of Europe union and signed the Berlin Call to Action document, presented by the Secretary-General of Europa Nostra, Sneska Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic during the visit in Georgia.
The document is a pledge to enhance the protection of cultural heritage as a political and individual priority. Those that sign the pledge take the responsibility to protect cultural heritage and set the ground for a more peaceful, successful, and inclusive Europe.
The David Gareji Monasteries and Hermitage, located in Eastern Georgia on the semi-desert Iori plateau, dates back to the 6th-century and is comprised of 22 rock-hewn monasteries and more than 5,000 sanctuaries and cave-cells.
Today the cave complex serves as one of Georgia's top cultural tourism destinations along with the Vardzia cave city in the country's south and mountainous villages of the Caucasus range.
