The environs of the village of Kalauri in Kakheti are particularly rich in Medieval architectural monuments. The Church of St. George stands approximately one kilometer south of the village, in an old cemetery surrounded by large deciduous trees.
Kalauri Church viewed from the south-east
The church was originally built in the sixth century as a small, single-nave structure with a sanctuary apse on the eastern end. Shortly after its completion, a three-sided ambulatory was added, enclosing the nave on the south, west, and north sides. At the northern end of the ambulatory, adjacent to the sanctuary, there is a separate room that served as a prothesis.
Kalauri Church viewed from the west
The church has undergone several restorations—first in the late Middle Ages, then in 1873, and again in 1988. The original structure was built of cobblestone, while the restored sections incorporate a variety of materials, including brick.
Eastern façade
The façades of the church are plain and undecorated. A large relief cross on the western façade was added during the most recent restoration. A small arched belfry with a pyramidal roof was erected above the west end of the roof in 1873.
The belfry
The interior of the Kalauri Church preserves mural paintings dating to the sixteenth century. These belong to the so-called "Folk Trend" in late medieval Georgian art and are considered to be of modest artistic quality.
Scene of the Nativity
In the conch of the sanctuary apse is an image of the Deesis. Below it, is a depiction of the Communion of the Apostles, and the lowest register features a row of saints, including St. Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia — her image was uncovered in 2009 after a thick layer of soot was removed from the painting. Scenes of the Great Feasts are represented on the southern and northern walls. A significant portion of the wall painting is dedicated to St. George, the church’s patron saint, including both scenes of his martyrdom and a full-standing figure.
