It has been identified as probably being the ruined monastery known as Porta, in Pırnallı village, Artvin province, Turkey.

In 780 the future St Gregory of Khandzta moved to Tao-Klarjeti to revive Georgian monasticism in the region.

In the 10th century, a local monk, Giorgi Merchule, wrote a Life of Gregory, celebrated as a masterpiece of Georgian medieval hagiography.

[citation needed] The remoteness of the site made the construction difficult, as most material, notably the high-quality sandstone, was not available locally and had to be hauled for long distances.

From that time, the integration of the region into the Ottoman Empire and the progressive Islamisation of the population led to the decline of the monastery, and its eventual abandonment.