Porta (Khandzta) Monastery The Porta Monastery, also known as Khandzta, holds a prominent place in Georgian historical heritage. Sadly, it now remains as a group of heavily damaged ruins, perched high above the Artvin–Ardahan highway. St. Gregory of Khandzta was a highly respected religious leader in Georgia, known for founding and guiding numerous monastic settlements. His most distinguished legacy is the creation of the Khandzta Monastery, which is also referred to as Porta. In the year 780, St. Gregory of Khandzta moved to the region of Tao-Klarjeti with the goal of revitalizing Georgian monastic traditions. Tao-Klarjeti is a historically rich area that spans parts of northeastern Turkey and southwestern Georgia, covering regions around the Chorokhi and Kura river valleys, as well as the upper reaches of the Aras River. In the beginning, St. Gregory lived at the Opiza Monastery before establishing his own religious community at Khandzta in the year 782. Under his leadership, the Khandzta Monastery evolved into a significant monastic center within the Tao-Klarjeti region. The original wooden church at Khandzta was constructed toward the late 8th century by St. Gregory and his disciples, alongside structures such as a refectory (dining hall) and residential quarters. Later, in 820, during the reign of Ashot I, a more permanent stone church was erected. The current church seen today is believed to be a newer structure, built in 918, likely due to the difficulties in accessing quality building materials, which had to be transported from distant areas. Construction was ultimately completed in 941. The Otkhta Monastery displays a blend of architectural elements. A bell tower was added in the 16th century, and a small medieval chapel was later transformed into a fountain, utilizing its eastern wall as the outlet for water. Following the region’s absorption into the Ottoman Empire and the gradual Islamization of the local population, the monastery was left in a state of abandonment. Despite sustaining severe damage, the main church's structure remained intact on a man-made terrace for a considerable time. However, a significant portion of its facade was destroyed, and most of its dome collapsed in 2007. If you have any questions or require more information, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us via WhatsApp. We’ll be happy to assist you as quickly as possible.