Hereti: History, Geography, Culture, and Contemporary Status
Hereti strategic importance Georgia Azerbaijan
2. Geographical Location
Greater Caucasus mountain range Mtkvari (Kura) and Alazani rivers Mtkvari River Alazani River Balakan, Zagatala, and Gakh Shaki Khoranta Balakan, Zagatala, and Gakh snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus viticulture, winemaking, and sericulture trade and caravan routes Heres
3. Origin of the Name
Heros
4. Historical Overview
4.1. Early History
Stone Age Caucasian Albania Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) saeristavos Georgianization
4.2. Independent Principality and Kingdom
Arab invasions independent principality Grigol Hamam (Adarnase Patrik) independent kingdom King Ioane Senekerim (951–959) Queen Dinara Eastern (Dyophysite) Orthodoxy
4.3. Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti
Bagrat III (978-1014) Kvirike III the Great (1010–1037) Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti
4.4. Part of Unified Georgia
1104 David IV the Builder (1089–1125) saeristavo 1466 Kingdom of Kakheti
4.5. Foreign Influence and Islamization
Iranian Ottoman 17th century Abbas I Sultanate of Eliseni (Ilisu) Islamization Saingilo
5. Separation from Georgia
Tiflis Governorate Russian Empire's annexation of the Kartli-Kakheti Kingdom in 1801 July 5, 1921 Zakatala Okrug Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic treaty on border demarcation painful and controversial issue
6. Contemporary Status
Georgia and Azerbaijan Saingilo
6.1. Georgians in Azerbaijan (Ingilos)
Ingilos Christian Ingilos Muslim Ingilos
Contemporary Challenges (for Georgians living in Azerbaijan):
Education in Georgian Religious Rights and Protection of Cultural Heritage Preservation of Cultural Identity Socio-Economic Conditions Information Vacuum
7. Historical and Cultural Monuments in Hereti (Saingilo)
Kurmukhi St. George Church (Gakh District, Kurmukhi Village)
Location History and Description 13th-14th centuries hall-type Current Status Giorgoba (St. George's Day)
Alibeglo (Historical Elisen) St. Nino Church (Gakh District, Alibeglo/Elisen Village)
Location History and Description 1871 cross-dome plan Saint Nino Current Status
Leketi (Lekarti) Monastery Complex (Gakh District, Leketi/Lekiti Village)
Location History and Description round temple – a rotunda 7th-9th centuries basilica-type church Current Status
Gakh "Little Alaverdi" / Seven Churches Monastery (Gakh District, near Gakh Town)
Location History and Description seven-church monastery complex domed church 10th-11th centuries Current Status
Meshabashi St. George Church (Gakh District, Meshabashi Village)
History and Description 19th or early 20th century Current Status
Kotoklo Holy Trinity Church (Gakh District, Kotoklo/Qotoqlo Village)
History and Description 19th century hall-type structure Current Status
Bodbishevi (Qum) Church of the Mother of God (Gakh District, Qum/Qumbazari Village)
History and Description 8th-9th century basilica-type church Current Status
Zarna (Zaarni) Church (Gakh District, Zarna Village)
History and Description medieval Georgian church Current Status
Pateriani (Fateriani) Church (Zaqatala District)
History and Description episcopal sees of Hereti Current Status
Khoranta / Khornabuji (Historical City)
History and Description Current Status
Shaki (Historical City)
History and Description Current Status
"Great Wall of Caucasus" / Defensive Structures:
Derbent Wall, Ghilghilchay Wall, and Beshbarmaq Wall fortresses and defensive lines
"Tamar's Bridges":
medieval stone bridges
Other Important Monuments Requiring Research:
Leliani Churches (Gakh District, Leliani/Ilisu Village) Zarapkhana Church (Balakan District) church and fortress ruins
8. Contemporary Challenges (Expanded)
Attempts to Distort Historical Memory Difficulties in Movement to Georgia Involvement in Local Self-Government Bodies Access to Healthcare and Social Services Information Vacuum