Oshki Medieval monastery to be safeguarded in joint Turkish-Georgian effort

The Medieval Georgian monastery of Oshki, a major cultural heritage monument in Turkey’s north-east, will be restored and preserved following an agreement between the two countries.

Announced on the eve of country-wide celebrations in Georgia for the May 26 Independence Day and centennial of its First Democratic Republic, the move follows a decision by Turkey’s government to launch works on the church.

Within its first stage, immediate effort will be made to reinforce the dome of the monument located in the Erzurum province.

The dome of Oshki church will be subject of restoration work on the first stage of the project. Photo: Georgia’s Cultural Heritage Agency press office.

Suffering from neglect and under effects of natural phenomena for decades, the monastery has been in need of urgent attention.

Works for reinforcing its upper structure will be followed by wider rehabilitation efforts involving experts from both countries, Georgian government’s press office said on Friday.

The announcement follows a deal signed between the countries last year and outlining plans for joint work on monuments of cultural heritage found on the territory of the states.

The monument has been in need of reinforcing and restoration work. Photo: Georgia’s Cultural Heritage Agency press office.

Aimed to run between years 2017-2021, it will be comprised of three stages that include selection of monuments in need of immediate restoration, their complex geological, artistic and engineering research and work for improving the state of their conservation.

The 10th century Oshki Church was located on the territory of the Medieval Georgian principality of Tao-Klarjeti, now Turkey’s north-east.

Commissioned and financed by Kings Bagrat II and David III, it served as a major hub for literature and theological studies during the era.