Metropolitan Davit of Abba Alaverdi stated that following yesterday's whirlwind, the situation in the Alaverdi Monastery complex is "emergency."

"After inspecting the monastery in daylight, I can safely say that the situation is extraordinary. Not a single roof has survived; all are damaged. Experts need to inspect the dome tent with the tin removed because the impact from the wind was so great that they must check for any invisible cracks. The roof of the bell tower, which needed restoration and strengthening before, has been displaced. The rest of the infrastructure inside the monastery if there was anything left has been damaged. This applies to all buildings and structures of the monastery," said the Metropolitan.

A blizzard swept over the Alaverdi Monastery complex yesterday around 6 o'clock in the evening. According to locals, the whirlwind originated in the area where the diocese's vineyards are planted. It passed near the temple, which has the status of a cultural heritage monument, swept the cross from the dome, and damaged the roof.

Photo by George Mes

According to the Cultural Heritage Protection Agency, the tin covering of the dome and the stone-coated tile roofing on the southern slope of the temple have been damaged, the windows on the western side of the temple and the dome have been broken, the tin roofs of the belfry and the tile roofs of the episcopal palace have been damaged, and the balcony of the palace has been demolished.

Photo by George Mes

During the disaster, several people were injured while travelling in a car that was overturned by the blizzard.

Vineyards were also damaged. Giorgi Salakaia, the founder of the Badagoni wine company, said that about 10 hectares of vines were "completely cut off."

Georgian News
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