Akura MamadaviTi – “Mamadaviti” church built in the name of Saint David, the founder of Gareji Monastery is located some 1.5 km from the village of Akura. This structure built of brickwork and stonework mixture is highly specific type of basilica.
Only one pair of columns is erected there (hence the structure has got two arches between the naves at each side) and what is the most important, a partition is arranged in the northern nave that splits it into two arched bays. Due to that kind of design, distribution of light and height of the central nave, the whole of the interior looks as if it were one grand hall with vaulted and arched deepening on both sides.
The architect of Akura church shows high level of creativity when adorning the exterior of the construction – rather high cavities are arranged within the longitudinal walls whilst the eastern façade is decorated with arches outlined by some narrow rods – constituting the earliest type of the façade arcades, that would become so popular decoration pattern in the centuries to come.
Even painting is incorporated in the façade adornment – very unusual images are partially preserved on the sanctuary wall – medallions with heads of some men and the imige of Christ the True Sun and Illuminator of the Universe between them. Couple of rather large remains of XIV-XV cc wall painting are noticeable on the western wall of the church interior.
Several architectural peculiarities indicate that Akura church was built in IX c. Quite possible the church has even been built by Saint Illarion the Georgian, where his mother and sister found safe shelter. No ancient document has been preserved regarding the church, but being under the patronage of Kakhetian Kings and nobility it is absolutely positive that a nunnery had been functioning there throughout the XVI c. as a section and subsidiary of Gareji Mravalmta Momastery.