Nukas Church
Nuka Church (Georgian: ნუკას საყდარი or ნუკა-საყდარი; “nuk'as saq'dari” or “nuk'a-saq'dari”), is a medieval Georgian church in the historical region of Klarceti. Today, it is located in the village of Alabalık in the central district of Artvin province. It is believed that the church came to be known by this name because of its last priest, Nuka, and that the church's original name may have been forgotten.
The Nuka Church, which has survived to the present day in fairly good condition, measures 10.20 meters in length from the outside, 10.30 meters in width on the east side, and 6.85 meters on the west side. The church is a two-nave basilica. These two naves are separated by a circular column located in the southern section. The central nave ends in an apse. On the north side, there is a small space extending from the altar, and the north wall of the church is made of rock. The church is built on a foundation approximately ten meters high. It is understood that this lower space is not merely a retaining wall and is most likely a burial chamber.
The entrance to the church is on the west side. There is one window on each of the west and south walls, while there are three windows on the east facade. There is a room on either side of the altar. This is unique among Georgian churches and is only found in Nuka Church. The church was built with roughly hewn stones and has no decorations. It is understood that stones from the site were used in the construction of the church. Nuka Church has structural features typical of the 9th century, like Parehi and Esbeki churches. The Tskarostavi Monastery, which is thought to be part of it, was also built during the same period.
