What are You Know About the Lost Kingdom In Turkey

A lost kingdom in turkey

It is in northeastern Turkey in remote area where unforgiving rocky crags give way to green oasis,

It is home to the majestic Georgian monasteries in the medieval era of Tao-Klarjeti, It is a former feudal state ruled by the royal family of Bagration.

Tortum is a town and district of Erzurum Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey.The population is 4,507 as of 2010.There are 4 different ethnic group in the district. Ethnicity distribution Turkish Hemshin Kurdish Circassians Wikipedia Area: 566 mi² Hotels: 3-star averaging $19, 5-star averaging $80. View hotels

Tao Klarjeti was once part of the United Kingdom of Georgia that flourished during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries

However, the repeated raids by the conqueror Turku  in the late 14th century led to the demise of the kingdom

In the middle of the 16th century, Tao Clareti came under Ottoman rule, resulting in becoming part of Turkey

During the Golden Age of the Kingdom, Tao Klarjeti was the center of monastic life governed by the Georgian Orthodox Church. Today,

the remains of the spiritual influence of the emirate remain chimney in small Turkish villages between the kackar Mountains, which are visually observant near the border between Turkey and Georgia.

A crumbling church

The Oshki Monastery in Erzurum Province is one of the greatest Georgian Orthodox sites in the region. Built between 963 and 973 AD in the reign of the Georgian prince Pagrat David III Corobalas,

the monastery is expanded, in the form of a crucifix now mostly without a roof, but the open sky emphasizes the magnificence of the central dome. The southern facade, which is the main entrance to the church, is decorated with various motifs presented in sculpture sculptures, such as sheep hunters, an eagle with an animal in his mouth, and leaders offering their churches to God.

Many church decorations have been stolen over the years, and a large slit on the western wall threatens the structural integrity the Lost Kingdom and temporary houses have been built right against the outside.

The differences between the Turkish and Georgian governments on how to proceed with the restoration of the monastery have left in a state of  neglectful limbo, and the majesty of Oshki is left open to the elements,

First mentioned in a Georgian manuscript of 951 AD, the Church of Ishan near the village of Arbasik suffered a fate worse than negligence: the restoration of randomness.

The sandstone exterior contains the age of the building, while the large, soft and square stones - some glowing white and another bright pink - look more modern than the Middle Ages. The church is manifested with a brand new, but uneven, red-tiled roof surrounded by a carefully carved archaeological site, revealing the Slipshod approach to preserving what is so prevalent in this region

An uneven dirt road climbs to the Church of Dortikelis from the town of Yousufli, parallel to a small river lined with newly constructed concrete water channels, an example of infrastructure improvements that are taking place throughout the region. This stunning church is part of a larger monastery complex surrounded by gardens and pastures. In contrast to the aforementioned Oshkı and Ishan churches, Dörtkilise covers a long, hot roof covered with covered grass and descends into the forested hills.

Hints of past glory

According to a Georgian manuscript dating back to 1031, the priests of Bagrateri founded the Church and Monastery of Dortechelis and played a key role in the spread of Georgian Orthodox beliefs throughout the  Tao Klarjeti. The high central church plate, which shines with large arched windows and is surrounded by two corridors, points to its former glory.

The greatness of the past

Similarly, the shaded frescoes at the top of Dörtkilise fade away from the former church. The images of the Orthodox Christian saints have faded over time, and the white walls under them have been desecrated by graffiti. At the same time, the sloping land scattered with debris gives credence to the claim that the church has recently been used as a fortress.

Uncertain Fate Despite the degraded state of these churches, it is still possible to admire excellence in medieval architecture and craftsmanship. But with no coherent plan to maintain, the fate of these architectural wonders is still uncertain.

Photo credit to Katie Nadworny & Emma Harper