The church dedicated to Saint Kvirike stands in Pkhoveli, about a kilometre from the church of Saint Barbara. Kvirike and his mother Ivlita are venerated together in Georgia, and churches in their name were often placed at the edge of villages.
Pkhoveli is part of Gurjaani Municipality, where vineyards take up about a fifth of the farmland. Wineries and small marani work across the area, and Gurjaani itself is a few kilometres away. The landscape is flat, running out towards the foothills of the Gombori range.
Keep a restrained manner: for nearby villages this is a working place of prayer. The site remains part of the everyday life of the area, and that deserves respect.
Tips
- Come in the morning while the light is soft.
- Check the forecast, as rain makes the approach slippery.
- Keep some cash for a donation, as there is no card terminal.
Getting there
- The last stretch runs along a dirt road that softens after rain.
- Plan the visit together with nearby stops, as there is no dedicated transport here.
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