Travel Guide Ourbnissi

Today a small village, Ourbnissi was an important town at the beginning of the Christian era. It declined after the Arab invasions and its capture by the commander Marouane in the 730s. Its monastery Saint-Stéphane continued to function, however, while from the 9th century onwards, neighbouring Rouissi became an important religious centre. The monastery has only one church, a curious basilica with three naves, extremely long and sober. The church of Ourbnissi dates from the 7th century, but was rebuilt in the 10th and 17th centuries. Its form is original and it contains external inscriptions in the 6th century alphabet, the second variant of the Georgian alphabet, which has since fallen into disuse. It is located on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Kuras; from the train it can be seen, so it looks more picturesque than up close!