The Jvari Monastery, which was closed on Monday by its clerics “due to the unsanitary and disorder” created by vendors near the site has reopened for visitors again.

Vendors they that they are ready to move to the other place if such is offered.

The Georgian Patriarchate has called upon the Georgian government to settle the street vending problem near monuments of historic and spiritual importance, as existing “disorder and insanitary” near such sites in the 21st century is “awkward.”

With the statement the Patriarchate shared the view of the head of the Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta Konstantine Jincharauli, who closed the site to hundreds of tourists and local visitors on Monday to “end illegal street vending” near the monastery.

Jincharauli and other clerics of the Jvari Monastery wrote that the current “unsanitary conditions and disorder near the monastery, which is site of world importance [as it is on the UNESCO World Heritage list] is unbearable.”

They said that the local municipality did not help them settle the problem which was the reason why they used “the radical step” to close the monastery and attracted the public attention.

Vendors say that the sale of items near the monastery is the only source of incomes for many of them.

The Patriarchate responds that they understand that people are in poverty and take various measures to earn money.

However, when historic and religious sites in the country are being visited by so many tourists and pilgrims, such disorder and unsanitary in the 21st century is awkward,” the Patriarchate says.

It has not been decided when the Jvari Monastery, which dates back to the sixth century, will reopen again for visitors.

Deputy Minister of Culture Mikheil Giorgadze says that vendors are likely to be taken to other  place and the problem will be settled “constructively.” 

He says that the monastery will reopen for visitors very soon. 

Tskheta mayor says that it is possible the site to reopen today.

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