copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-18): About David Gareja Monastery Davit Gareja (David Gareji Monastery Complex) - one of the most notable religious and cultural centers of Georgia, the monastery cave complex. It is located in Kakheti, Sagarejo municipality, 60-70 km south-east of Tbilisi, on Gareji hill. [...] In the first half of the XIV century, in the reign of George V the Brilliant, Davit Gareja became a strong political and economic center. Monastery people took part in the work of the Kingdom and management of the church affairs of the country. At the end of the XIV century, the monastic life eliminated during the numerous trips of Tamerlane. In 1424, Alexander I the Great granted Davit Gareja to the Svetitskhoveli Patriarchate cathedral in Mtskheta. In 1616-1617 the Persian army attacked, the monasteries were abolished. In 1639, Teimuraz I restored the monastic life. David Gareja consisted of settlements and villages, where the peasants considered as a monastic servant. The Davit Gareji monasteries existed until the end of the XIX century.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2023-12-23): David Gareja Monastery (known as Keshikchidagh in Azerbaijan) is located in the far-southern corner of Georgia’s Kakheti region, approximately 100 kilometres or 1.5-2 hours by road from Tbilisi. The closest town is Udabno, which is 15 kilometres away. The name David Gareja commonly refers to a complex of two monasteries, Lavra and Udabno, which are located in close proximity to each other on the borderline between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The David Gareja Monasteries actually represents a much larger site – at least 21 separate hermitages scattered across the desert. [...] If you keep a close eye on Google Maps when travelling from Tbilisi to David Gareja, you’ll notice there’s a 150-metre stretch of highway where you actually cross over the border. Access to Udabno (the upper monastery at David Gareja) is similarly reached by hiking along a ridge that technically falls on Azerbaijani territory.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-01-01): David Gareja is a unique cave monastery complex located in the eastern part of Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan. This ancient monastery complex was founded in the 6th century by one of the thirteen Assyrian Fathers, St. David Garejeli, and is home to a wealth of religious and cultural treasures, including beautifully decorated cave churches and exquisite frescoes. But David Gareja isn't just a religious site - it's also surrounded by otherworldly landscapes that resemble the surface of Mars. The rugged terrain, with its striking rock formations and red-tinted earth, adds to the otherworldly feel of the area and makes it a popular destination for adventurous travelers and photographers. [...] Overall, David Gareja is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and the natural beauty of Georgia.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-12-12): The Davit Gareja Monastery was founded by the Assyrian father David Garejeli in the first half of the 6th century. This place is often referred to as the "second Jerusalem". According to legend, St. David Garejeli brought a stone with miraculous powers from the "Grace Ridge" in Jerusalem, before securing its place at the Gareja Monastery. [...] Since the Middle Ages, the David Gareja Monastery Complex has been one of the most important centers of Georgian Christian culture for centuries. The David Gareja caves have preserved frescoes of the utmost significance, portraying historical figures such as King David Aghmashenebeli (the Builder) at the desert monastery of John the Baptist (Natlismtsemeli in Georgian), as well as Queen Tamar and her son Lasha-Giorgi at Berthubani Monastery.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2006-01-01): David Gareja is a complex of 14 monasteries carved into the rock, located not far from each other in a steppe landscape of region Kakheti at the border with modern-day Azerbaijan. [...] The name David Gareja refers to the founder of the monastery, David. He was one of 13 Syrian monks who founded several monasteries in Georgia in the 6th century. [...] The monastery complex of David Gareja consists of the following monasteries - Lavra of David - Udabno - Natlismeli - Dodos Rqa - Tsamebuli (Martyrs) 6th to 8th century - Chichxituri - Bertubani - Qolagiri - Mghvime/Maghaza/Sabereebi - MravalTskaro - Didi Qvabebi - Patara Qvabebi - Pirukughmari - VeranGareja
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-01-01): David Gareja medieval cave monastery represents the complex of 18 orthodox Christian monasteries spread over the Gareja semi-desert. Main part is situated in Kakheti, Georgia. Notable for ancient frescoes and picturesque views, the cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters are hollowed out of the rock face. [...] David Gareja Monastery reached it’s peak of success during the Golden Age (the time of national and cultural-political rise) of Georgia, in the 12th-13th century when the new monasteries were built: Udabno, Sabereebi, Bertubani, White Desert, Tsintskaro, Kolagiri, Tetrisenakebi, Big Boilers, Mravtskaro, Pirukugmari, Black Senaki, Berta Mountain, Gatsatshori Cave, Small boilers, Veran-Gareja and Chichkhituri. The private art school of fresco painting functioned at the Udabno monastery and David Gareji, elaborating private rules of building and monastery life. Gareji art school was one of the most significant educational centers in medieval Georgia. [...] Davit Gareja has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since October 24, 2007.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2023-07-08): David Gareja (Georgian: დავითგარეჯის სამონასტრო კომპლექსი, Davit'garejis samonastro komplek'si, sometimes spelled Davit Gareja) is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex in the Kakheti region of Georgia. Understand [edit]The monastery lies on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja, 60–70 km southeast of Georgia's capital Tbilisi, and is even partially in Azerbaijan. [...] - Stop in the way at a little shop with a bakery - 14:00 Arrival at David Gareja - 16:30 Departure from David Gareja - 17:00 Dinner break at the Black Horse Restaurant in Udabno - 18:00 Departure from Udabno - 19:30 - 20:00 Arrival in Tbilisi
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-05-20): David Gareja monastery complex, located right on the border with Azerbaijan, is among the best places to visit in Georgia and one of the day trips from Tbilisi. [...] David Gareja monastery complex is located in the south-east part of Georgia, in Kakheti region, some 60kms away from the capital – Tbilisi. [...] David Gareja monastery complex is spread on the sloped of Mount Gareja – its southern side belongs to Azerbaijan. That is why the site is constantly the subject of the border dispute.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2020-10-31): The Davit Gareja monastery is carved into a mountain that sits astride the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. It is said to have been founded by one of the monks who came from Mesopotamia to bolster Christianity in Georgia in the sixth century, St. David Garejeli. [...] Pikria Chikhradze of the Lelo for Georgia bloc, a centrist grouping seeking to break Georgian Dream and ENM's dominance in the country's parliament, told RFE/RL that, while concern about the fate of the Davit Gareja monastery was genuine, the government had turned it into a "preelection trap." [...] Dean Andria Jagmaidze, head of the public relations department of the Georgian Patriarchate, said on October 7 that "the decisions made by the [demarcation] commission were to the detriment of Georgia." On October 9, he said that the patriarchate was thinking about the issue only in the sense that the Davit Gareja complex should remain fully within Georgia, not about the timing of the elections.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2012-05-18): The David Gareja monastery complex is located about 60-70 km to the southeast from Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. It is an official Georgian religious and cultural monument, consisting of a number of churches. The complex was established in first half of of the sixth century. Since October 24 2011, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list as a historical-cultural monument. [...] But on Monday, deputy foreign minister Nino Kalandadze said at a briefing that ‘the Udabno Monastery section of David Gareja Monastery complex is not disputed territory and is considered as Azerbaijani territory since Soviet times.’ [...] "But the facts are the following: delimitation process between Georgia and Azerbaijan on state border is still in progress. Commissions of delimitation between states have agreed on 66 percent of border yet. 2 percent of David Gareja monastery complex territory is among un-agreed area, including cells of Udabno Monastery and paths, which lead to it, because of very simple reason that the above mentioned 2 percent of Monastery complex territory got under control of Azerbaijan since Soviet Union times by administrative distribution. Accordingly, the rest of David Gareja Monastery complex is on the Georgian territory." Her statement says.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2014-12-31): Davit Gareja is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery situated between Georgia’s Kakheti province and Azerbaijan’s Agstafa raion. The complex has been subject to a long-running border dispute between Georgia and Azerbaijan that dates back to the Sovietization of the two republics in the 1920s. The legacy of Soviet nationalities policy has only further complicated this dispute. The vast majority of Western, Russian, and Georgian academics are in agreement that Davit Gareja is clearly a Georgian monastery complex. Its inscriptions, artwork, and architectural character are clearly of Georgian origin and the site has a lengthy Georgian history. Its two main monasteries are Lavra and Udabno. [...] While it is true that the original site of Davit Gareja falls within the Hereti region, which was variously controlled by the Albanian and Georgian kingdoms, the fact remains that the area was in the Georgian political and cultural sphere by the time the monastery complex was founded. Further, the numerous Georgian inscriptions and work of Georgian artists attest to the complex’s distinct Georgian character. The assertions from Baku that Gareja is an Albanian, not Georgian, monastery complex have caused bafflement and indignation among Georgians.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2019-02-04): The David Gareja Monastery was established in the 6th century by David of Gareja, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers, in the country’s easternmost region Kakheti, on the border with Azerbaijan. For geopolitical reasons, a few monastic buildings and churches on what is now the territory of Azerbaijan are inactive. The monastery was first expanded by Dodo and Luciane, disciples of David, who established new cave monasteries – Dodo’s Rka and the Monastery of John the Baptist. The spiritual significance of the David Gareja Monastery was noted not only in Georgia, but also outside its borders. Numerous conquerors and marauders destroyed and burned down the monastery. Abbas I of Persia tried to eradicate monastic life in David Gareja by executing 6,000 monks. [...] What to see at the David Gareja Monastery Complex - The Laura of St. David – the first monastic building on the territory of the monastery, built in the 6th century by the founder, David of Gareja. The complex (laura) consists of several monastic and utile buildings dating from 6th to the 18th centuries.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-09): The Davit Gareja Monastery Complex is part of 180 kilometres of undemarcated border (out of 480) between Azerbaijan and Georgia. [...] While the Prosecutor’s Office did not specify which territories were ‘transferred’ nor to which country, several statements by Georgian Dream party officials confirmed that the Davit Gareja monastery was at the heart of the new probe. [...] Loss of access to the two monasteries triggered frequent rallies and pilgrimages to Davit Gareja by various Georgian groups, something that was countered with groups of Azerbaijanis also visiting the site with Azerbaijani flags.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2019-10-07): The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this July a conflict broke out of Azerbaijani border guards with Georgian activists near the David Gareja Monastery Complex. Georgia guides told about problems with access to some of the monasteries. The dispute over the David Gareja monastery complex, the most important cultural and religious attraction of Georgia, continues because of the incomplete demarcation of the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Political analysts and historians of Azerbaijani rule out the possibility of giving up the Azerbaijani part of the monastery complex. Azerbaijan has commissioned a new "Keshikchi Gala" border outpost on the border section with Georgia that embraces the David Gareja Complex, the "Interfax-Azerbaijan" quoted the SFS' press service on September 6.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-09-09): The Davit Gareja monastery complex (known as Keshikchidagh in Azerbaijan) is at the centre of a new row following an altercation between Georgian activists and Azerbaijani border guards. Azerbaijan closed access to Udabno Monastery following the incident. [...] Soon after Zurabishvili’s trip to Davit Gareja, Azerbaijan closed access to the Udabno Monastery for several days. [...] On 17 July, Khalaf Khalafov a representative of the Azerbaijani President, said that the territories surrounding the Davit Gareja complex ‘always belonged to Azerbaijan’, referring to maps issued by Soviet Georgian authorities in 1963.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-11-23): David Gareja is one of Georgia's cave towns, located on the territory of the Kakheti Region. The first monastery there was called the 'David Gareja Monastery Complex.' At the same time, his pupils Dodo and Lukyane, have also founded other monasteries nearby. [...] Because of this story, we believe that in Georgia, there is 1/3 of the holiness of Jerusalem. Many miracles are connected with this stone, and people also say that if you visit the David Gareja Monastery Complex three times in your life, you will get the same grace you would if you visited Jerusalem once.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-02-02): Disinformation: On the USSR General Staff Map, the David-Gareja Monastery Complex is Located Fully Within Georgian Territory [...] The Davit Gareja Monastery Complex comprises 16 monasteries. Of them, 13 are clearly located within Georgian territory and all maps confirm this. There is an ongoing dispute in regard to the Chichkhituri and Udabno section and negotiations are in progress on where to draw the border whilst Bertubani is not located within Georgian boundaries based on any map, including the one brought by Davit Khidasheli (see the map). This is also confirmed by the letter of Georgian Academy of Science which says that territories were transferred to Soviet Azerbaijan as a result of the Soviet government’s decision. [...] Bertubani’s location is not at all discernible at the map. It is not disputed that the Davit Gareja Monastery Complex is part of Georgia’s historical and cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, only two-thirds of the borders have been agreed between the parties. That is why Georgia was engaged in negotiations with its strategic partner Azerbaijan even under the previous government.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2019-06-07): One of the organizers of the action was David Katsarava, the leader of the "Anti-Occupation Movement of Georgia." He often arranges similar mass demonstrations on the "Russian occupation line," near South Ossetia. In an interview with this author, Katsarava claimed that, on May 28, "Azerbaijan was preparing a provocation at the Georgian Davit Gareja monastery." He explained, "The Azerbaijani side planned to bring thousands of its activists to Davit Gareja in order to declare this ancient Georgian monastery complex as the property of Azerbaijan. We went to the Monastery to meet our Azerbaijani friends and peacefully, calmly explain to them that they are mistaken." He stressed that Davit Gareja "fully and inseparably" belongs to Georgia and any claims of Azerbaijan over this "ancient Georgian Christian monastery" are allegedly unfounded (Author’s interview, May 28). [...] Many experts in Tbilisi are confident that Azerbaijan will never accept the Georgian side’s offer of swapping some territories in exchange for the Orthodox Christian Davit Gareja complex to fully reside inside Georgia. For instance, historian David Avalishvili explained that Azerbaijan "is building a European-style multicultural nation. And although the majority of the population of Azerbaijan is Muslim, the ancient monastery complex reinforces Azerbaijani identity as a nation whose citizens can be Christian as well as Muslim" (Author’s interview, May 28).
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2017-07-31): Restoration work on Georgia’s famous David Gareja monastic complex and tourism infrastructure, underway since September 2015, has come to an end, reports News-Georgia. [...] The David Gareji monastic complex consists of about 20 monasteries carved into the rocks and covering the territory of three Georgian regions—Gardabani, Signagi, and Signagi. The complex, stretching for 15 miles, is a favorite of both locals and foreign tourists. The St. David Lavra is located 37 miles southeast of Tbilisi, along the Georgian-Azerbaijani border, dividing the complex into two parts. [...] For its size and historical significance, David Gareja occupies a special place in Georgian history. There is a tradition that three visits to the Gareja desert are equal to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2021-02-07): February in the Caucasus: the perennial conflict over the David Gareja monastery3 min read [...] The diplomatic row between Georgia and Azerbaijan over the David Gareja Monastery is a little known source of tension originally stemming from, you guessed it, messy Soviet border demarcation. It’s a sort of perennial conflict, burgeoning every few years only to lay dormant again [...] David Gareja is a matter of national importance for Georgia, arresting officials in a pre-election stunt to further disgrace the opposition may just do more harm than good in achieving full ownership of the monastery. A mutually agreeable solution between Baku and Tbilisi is as far off as ever so parts of the monastery will remain inaccessible. For now, tourists may want to rethink this as an idea for a day trip but hopefully Georgia will also rethink its strategy in achieving full rights to the monastery.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2022-11-19): One of the most unique sights in Georgia, David Gareja is a rock hewn monastery complex that sits on the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is also one of the best day trips from Tbilisi that you could ask for. [...] The David Gareja is a monastery complex located about 60 KM South East of Tbilisi (about 32 KM from Rustavi or Gardabani). [...] The Monastery of David Gareja consists of 13 monasteries spread out around the complex.
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Azerbaijan (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2024-10-09): Georgian monastery complex [edit]Because the complex is partially located on the territory of Azerbaijan, it has become subject to a border dispute between Georgia and Azerbaijan, with ongoing talks since 1991.[5] Georgian monks at the monastery say that "they see the dispute as the result of Soviet scheming to undermine relations between Christian Georgians and Muslim Azerbaijanis."[1] Giorgi Manjgaladze, Georgia's deputy foreign minister proposed that Georgia would be willing to exchange other territory for the remainder of David Gareja because of its historical and cultural significance to the Georgians.[1] Baku disapproves of this land swap because of David Gareja's strategic military importance.[6] "There is no room for territorial exchange. There are no negotiations over this issue," stated Azerbaijan's deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov.[1] In April 2007, Khalafov told a press conference in that it was "out of the question" for Georgia to "give up its claims to the borderlands" including David Gareja.[1] He then made a controversial statement that the monastery "was home to the Caucasian Albanians, who are believed to have been the earliest inhabitants of Azerbaijan."[7] This prompted a response from Georgian foreign minister Gela Bezhuashvili. [...] - David Gareja Monastery Complex, Georgia - Photo Essay at HitchHikers Handbook - Buildings and structures in Kakheti - Georgian Orthodox monasteries - Christian monasteries established in the 6th century - Territorial disputes of Azerbaijan - Territorial disputes of Georgia (country)
Claim: David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Azerbaijan (David Gareja monastery complex, 2024-10-09)
Evidence (2019-06-15): Georgia And Azerbaijan’s David Gareja Monastery Conundrum – Analysis [...] But another, lesser-known border dispute over the David Gareja Monastery Complex, which resulted from these territorial adjustments, has locked Tbilisi and Baku in a standstill for almost a hundred years. The complex was founded by St. David Garejeli, one of the 13 Christian missionaries who arrived in Georgia from Mesopotamia in the 6th century. The complex is located in Eastern Georgia, 25km from Tbilisi and consists of 19 medieval monasteries with approximately 5,000 cells. Even though Georgia had been invaded and divided numerous times, David Gareja had always remained within its political boundaries until Stalin pushed for his policy of nationalities, which changed Georgia’s border with Azerbaijan leaving a part of the complex under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan Soviet Republic. [...] In March 2019, during her visit to Azerbaijan, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili raised the issue of the border delimitation disagreement between the two countries. Then, on April 20, while visiting the David Gareja Monastery Complex, Zurabishvili raised the issue again. She called for progress in the border delimitation talks and pressed for swift demarcation of the site.