The previous review from Els is a sharp contrast to the current reality. Nowadays, even from Kutaisi, the bright white tent cover is clearly visible.

I visited Gelati monastery on 23rd of November, Saint George's Day, a national holiday in Georgia. The monastery is closed due to further damage of the frescoes after a roof leakage. It is open only on Saturday and Sunday but several recent reviews stated that also that on Sundays tourists were not allowed in.

But this day, the monastery grounds were open, mass was celebrated in the small church, while the main church was open. Inside, the ceilings are invisible due to the omnipresent scaffolding but some of the frescoes on the wall are visible and the side chapels can be seen completely, though few people seem to notice they are accessible as one has to go past the scaffolding. The side chapels are dark, so one has to use the cell phone light to appreciate the frescoes.

In fact, I went with zero expectations and still thought it was a worthwhile visit. One can see the frescoes are beautiful and the church can also be partially seen from the outside by clambering around the scaffolding a bit.

It was nice that there are currently no tour groups, they go to the nearby Motsameta monastery. I walked there from Gelati but cannot say I was impressed with Motsameta.

There is a marshrutka to Gelati monastery from behind the state theatre in Kutaisi four times a day, which I took, and I walked back to Kutaisi.