The now-conserved church of the Smolensk Icon of the Theotokos in Alabuzino, Russia, which resembles a real palace.
The photo was taken shortly before the conservation work started - now all vegetation has been removed from the building and around it, and the building itself is covered with a temporary roof, which cannot but be pleasing - but, of course, does not contribute to its romantic appearance.
The photo was taken shortly before the conservation work started - now all vegetation has been removed from the building and around it, and the building itself is covered with a temporary roof, which cannot but be pleasing - but, of course, does not contribute to its romantic appearance.
Although the Oriental influence on Georgian architecture was not as strong as on Armenian architecture, it was still very significant - and like the Armenians, the Georgians adopted such a typically Oriental type of building as the caravanserai. However, most of the medieval serais now lie in ruins - and only in Tbilisi have a number of buildings of this category survived. All of them, however, were built after Georgia's accession to Russia - and therefore more resemble ordinary hotels, like this caravanserai of Queen Tekla, now serving as a revived Theological Seminary.
Perched on a sheer cliff and connected to the outside world by narrow staircases and a huge bridge, the abandoned Katholiko Monastery in Greece was built in a typical Venetian-era blend of Gothic and Mannerist style. Its seemingly impregnable appearance, however, did not help it escape pirate raids - and although the monastery has now been partially restored and the main church-cave is operational, it has never been fully revived.
The rock-hewn catholicon of the Natlismtsemeli Monastery, part of the David-Gareja Monastery complex in Georgia.
In addition to the frescoes, albeit fragmentary, attention is drawn to the fine carvings of the preserved details of the original ancient iconostasis - carved from the same rock as the temple.
In addition to the frescoes, albeit fragmentary, attention is drawn to the fine carvings of the preserved details of the original ancient iconostasis - carved from the same rock as the temple.