We visited the most beautiful little church of Nikortsminda (Church of Saint Nicholas) built by Bagrat III in 1010-1014. It was a hexagon until some mid-11th century additions, but inside the six apses remain, radiating out from the centre (that is, not like the usual four in the shape of a cross).
There are wonderful carvings on the outside:
Inside, the church was painted in the sixteenth and seventeenth century and has a great depiction of the fall into hell:
And then of course there are angels and the all the rest:
And now for something completely different. We wanted to show you some of the food we have been served during our stay in Oni – not that we were able to eat it all – or even half of it.
Here’s dinner on our first night:
Those are hefty bowls of soup, delicious mini doughy things, beetroot salda, carrot salad, tomatoes and cucumber, cheese, bread – and the the main courses of bean stew and stuffed cabbage leaves arrived.
Aside from yoghurt, honey, bread, jams, and cheese, breakfast included:
And dinner last night was similarly outfacing: – the more food on the table, the less we ate:
Although our guesthouse was extra-generous, we find that even when in control of ordering our own food, we can’t manage more than two dishes between the three of us, even if one is a salad! It is hefty fare – but delicious!
The quiz answers will be up very soon – Sue is working her way through your fabulous responses first!
Wow the carvings are amazing – have they been restored or is the stone really rock hard and the weather incredibly dry?
I feel defeated just by looking at the photos of food
Don’t know if they’ve been restored – very finely done if they have. I found these carvings v moving and beautiful. The food was overwhelming – my appetite shrinks in direct proportion to what’s on offer ( the smaller the hungrier)..
That church is unbelievable- I’m with Kate re the carvings. Are they really not restored?
The food would absolutely defeat me. Looks delicious but one dish would do! Is the mystery grain barley?
See above – don’t know if they’ve been restored but beautiful work if they have. I absolutely loved this church. In terms of food, seems impossibly just to say one dish is plenty though easy to share dishes in restaurants so more manageable.
I think the grain is kasha – buckwheat.
Enjoy
Am sure you’re right. In the food blizzard that was breakfast I didn’t even taste this one!
How was the liqueur? Any wine?
Well, Nikhil tried the liqueur ( a strong spirit made from grape skins and other detritus – not for the faint hearted). I had a glass of their home made red wine and it was very nice and didn’t give me a headache and you can’t really say more than that..