The Zarzma monk monastery is located in the historical Samtskhe, 12 km from the town of Adigeni. It consists of dome church, belfry and one-nave chapel. The monastery first was allegedly founded by the Klarjeti monk, Serapion (his life is described in the hagiographic treatise by Basil Zarzmeli Life of Serapion Zarzmeli) in IX century. A local noble, Giorgi Chorchaneli, helped him in his endeavor to build a monastery and had even sacrificed villages for the newly-founded monastery. The church of Serapion’s time which does not exist any more was built by architect Garbaneli.

The current complex of Zarzma was built in the beginning of XIV century by the sovereign of Samtskhe, Beka Jakeli (1285-1309). The oldest historical remains of the monastery are a built-in inscription of X century on the entrance arch (tells about march of king David III Kurapalat to Barda Skliaros) which was removed from the previous construction.

Zarzma is adorned with numerous ornaments. It is rich with fresco painting. There are portraits of secular church wardens beside religious scenes. On the southern wall there are family portraits of rulers of Samtskhe – the Jakeli family (Sargis I – 1266-1285); Beka I – 1285-1309; Sargis II – 1309-1334; Kvarkvare – 1334-1360). On the Northern wall there is XVI century painting.

Belfry of Zarzma is one of the biggest belfries in Geor­gia. On the I floor of the belfry some Khurtsidze opened a church of John the Baptist in XVI century. At the beginning of the XX century Georgian Exarchate of the Russian church made a restoration work of Zarzma. The painted part and iconostasis were changed during the works.

Author: Publishing House "Klio"