Samtavisi Cathedral
Samtavisi Cathedral - that is considered the sample of the medieval architecture of Georgia.
The history of Samtavisi begins in the 5th century when the first church was constructed. Its fragments are now under the floor of the cathedral. The building then had the shape of basilica. In the middle of the 6th century Assyrian Fathers, the monks spreading Christianity in Georgia, began to erect monasteries; The monk Isidor Samtavisskiy who was a member of the group of Assyrian Fathers, also founded the eparchy and the monastery that still has his name of Samtavisi.
Later in the 1025-1030 present cathedral was erected on the place of basilica. The church was reconstructed several times(XVI- XVIIcc).
Samtavisi Church represents the pinnacle of early Georgian stone-carving. Many of the ornamentations developed here were used as models for later and grander churches. Note that the Tree of Life on the eastern façade is represented as a vine - yet another proof of the importance of viticulture in Georgia.
Samtavisi Church remains active today and serves as a popular destination of tourism and pilgrimage.
The history of Samtavisi begins in the 5th century when the first church was constructed. Its fragments are now under the floor of the cathedral. The building then had the shape of basilica. In the middle of the 6th century Assyrian Fathers, the monks spreading Christianity in Georgia, began to erect monasteries; The monk Isidor Samtavisskiy who was a member of the group of Assyrian Fathers, also founded the eparchy and the monastery that still has his name of Samtavisi.
Later in the 1025-1030 present cathedral was erected on the place of basilica. The church was reconstructed several times(XVI- XVIIcc).
Samtavisi Church represents the pinnacle of early Georgian stone-carving. Many of the ornamentations developed here were used as models for later and grander churches. Note that the Tree of Life on the eastern façade is represented as a vine - yet another proof of the importance of viticulture in Georgia.
Samtavisi Church remains active today and serves as a popular destination of tourism and pilgrimage.