As part of the comprehensive rehabilitation efforts at the Gelati Monastery Complex, the urgent conservation phase for the mosaic composition in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin has been successfully completed. This critical stage focused on installing a specialized support structure for the detached sections of the mosaic.

Organized by the Gelati Rehabilitation Committee, the installation of the protective structure was carried out under the leadership of Mr. Roberto Nardi—Head of the Gelati Mosaic Conservation Program, President of the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM), and Director of the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) in Rome—alongside a multidisciplinary team from the CCA.

Based on extensive research conducted throughout 2024–2025, Mr. Nardi performed a detailed assessment of the mosaic's condition and materials. This study served as the foundation for developing a long-term methodology and strategy to improve and stabilize the mosaic’s state.

Given the precarious condition of the artwork, the implementation of a preventive conservation phase was deemed an urgent necessity before primary conservation could begin. This process involved:

• Direct consolidation of the mosaic tesserae (individual tiles).

• The installation of a custom-engineered support structure, specifically manufactured in Rome and transported to Georgia.

This strategic approach has successfully mitigated high-risk factors and ensured the immediate safety of the mosaic.

Notably, the completion of this preventive phase has cleared the way for other vital restoration activities within the cathedral. This includes the removal of poor-quality roofing installed in the past and the extraction of underlying inert materials, among other necessary interventions.

Please see the full report on the preventive conservation of the mosaic and the informational video below: