Nikortsminda Cathedral
Cathedral of 1010 to 1014 south of Ambrolauri, covered in some of the finest relief carving in Georgia.
Nikortsminda CathedralPhoto: Yasuhiro Kojima, CC BY-SA 2.0Nikortsminda Cathedral stands in the village of Nikortsminda on a hillside south of Ambrolauri, looking across the valleys of Racha. It was built between 1010 and 1014, in the reign of Bagrat III, and is one of the great works of medieval Georgian architecture. Its smooth stone facades are framed by blind arcades and covered with carved reliefs: the Transfiguration, the Last Judgment and the Ascension of the Cross, figures of Saints George and Theodore, and a menagerie of real and mythical animals.
Walk slowly around the outside before going in, as the carving is the main attraction. Inside, frescoes from the 17th century cover the walls, and a 19th-century bell tower stands beside the church. Nikortsminda is an active church and is on Georgia's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. It lies close to the main road from Kutaisi, so it is easy to stop on the way to or from Ambrolauri.
History
The cathedral was built between 1010 and 1014, shortly after Bagrat III united the Georgian kingdoms. In 1534 it was repaired by Bagrat III of Imereti, and its interior was painted in the 17th century. The bell tower was added in the second half of the 19th century. The 1991 Racha earthquake damaged the building, and it was later restored. Today it is on Georgia's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
What to see and do
- Reliefs of the Transfiguration and the Last Judgment
- Carved animals, real and mythical, on the facades
- 17th-century interior frescoes
- Views over the Racha valleys
How to visit
Getting there
About 30 minutes by car south of Ambrolauri, close to the main road from Kutaisi via the Nakerala Pass. From Kutaisi it is about 1.5 hours.
When to go
May–October. Plan 45 minutes–1 hour here.
- Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees; women should cover their hair and wear a skirt
- Bring binoculars or a zoom lens for the higher reliefs
- Stop here on the drive between Kutaisi and Ambrolauri
- Combine with Shaori Lake, a few kilometres to the south
Nikortsminda Cathedral: FAQ
When was Nikortsminda Cathedral built?
Between 1010 and 1014, during the reign of King Bagrat III. The interior frescoes are later, from the 17th century.
Is Nikortsminda a UNESCO site?
Not yet. It is on Georgia's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status but has not been inscribed.
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Nikortsminda Cathedral.
