Opiza

Opiza () was a medieval Georgian monastery and cathedral church located in historical Klarjeti region, now in Artvin Province, Turkey. It is one of the oldest Georgian churches in the Tao-Klarjeti region. Opiza was reconstructed after an Arab invasion in the 8th century. It is referred to by many Georgian historical persons, such as Gregory of Khandzta, Beqa and Beshqen Opizrebi.

== Architecture == The main church of the monastery is a domed cruciform design with an unusually elongated plan along the east-west axis. The dome rests on squinches built into the walls. To the east is a rectangular apse and sacristy. The western arm forms an undivided, elongated nave. The interior walls and dome are faced with dressed stone masonry. While the dome rests primarily on pendentives, small trompes are also incorporated, creating a hybrid transitional style of support.