52. GIALIA, GEORGIAN MONASTERY

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In the northwestern foohills of the Troodos Mountains near the northwest coast, 1.4 miles (2.5 km) southeast of Pano Gialia (Paphos district), in a secluded wooded valley on the north bank of a stream at 300m a.s.l. The site has been identified by the surviving late medieval Georgian inscriptions on the gate pier [Djobadze (1984) 205-7] as a Georgian monastery attested since the 10th century [Papacostas (1999a) 6.B.I.33].

Description: The now ruinous church was probably built as a domed triconch structure, in rubble masonry [Papageorgiou (1985a) 334]. Faint traces of fresco decoration remain in the north and south apses (Deposition and Baptism). The ruins are now overgrown with pine trees [Djobadze (1984)].

Dating: A late 12th / early 13th-century (?) date may be proposed if the structure can be related to the patronage of Queen T’amar (1184-1207 or 12/13) that is documented in Georgian sources [Djobadze (1984) 197].

Later additions / alterations: The annex buildings, which include the surrounding wall with gate, were built in ashlar masonry in later medieval times.

Modern repairs: Measures have been taken to protect the ruins [ARDA 1983, 23].

Early literature: The ‘ruines d’une mauvaise église byzantine, dont les inscriptions sont écrites en caractères arméniens’ were visited by Duthoit in 1862. Enlart saw more frescoes than survive today, including a Presentation and Baptism in the south apse and a Deposition in the north apse. Jeffery calls the ruin ‘St Mamas’, as marked on the relevant Ordnance Survey map (1:50,000) [Foucart-Borville (1985) 37; Enlart/Hunt (1987) 360; Jeffery (1918) 416].

Plan / section: Djobadze (1984) 199 [no traces survive of the east apse (outlined on the plan) and of the barrel vaulted compartment northwest of the church; the niche in the east part of the south apse is not shown].