Eki Monastery

„Eki“ in Megrelian language means ‘an elevated place, height’. So logically, the Eki Monastery of Saint John the Baptist is standing on the mountain, overlooking the surroundings from above. It consists of a wall, a church, a bell tower, a ward, a prison, and other auxiliary buildings constructed in the Middle Ages.

Unfortunately, only the fragments of the high wall of the monastery, made of stone and lime, are well-preserved.

The main sight is in the center of the complex, where a church from the IX-X centuries with fragments of ancient frescoes stands. The church is an aisleless building with windows and the west entrance is decorated with colorful ornaments. In the sanctuary, there is a stone table with a cross on it. 

About 15 meters away from the temple is a two-story bell tower, which, according to researchers, was built in the XIII-XIV centuries.

Limestone is attached to the north side of the bell tower, which is surrounded by blank walls from all four sides, and at the east – the remains of a two-story palace.  

The rich past of Eki village is also indicated by the 907 silver coins found here in 1971. 774 coins were minted in the Caesarian mint, and 131 in the mints of the Roman Empire. The latest coin dates back to 222 AD.