Photos of the Medieval Georgian Samtavisi Cathedral Georgia

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Photos of the Medieval Georgian Samtavisi Cathedral Georgia,(country). A Georgian Orthodox Cathedral. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Georgian Samtavisi Cathedral Georgia (country).

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Photos of Samtavisi Georgian Orthodox Cathedral, 11th century, Shida Karti Region, Georgia (country).

Samtavisi Cathedral

Samtavisi Cathedral is a large building situated on the banks of the Lekhura River 11 km from Kaspi. The church is a typical example and the founder of the Georgian interpretation of the cross-in-square churches. It was built in the period of when Georgian churches were more highly decorated with architecture sculpture.

History of Samtavisi Cathedral

A monastery was founded on the site of Samtavisi Cathedral in 572 by Isidore, one of the thirteen Assyrian missionary monks who spread Christianity throughout Georgia. Originally the monastery had a Romanesque Basilica style church. It was replaced with the present Cathedral building in the 10-11th century.

Samtavisi Cathedral was designed by the architect Hilarion and is laid out in a cruciform shape with high walls rising to a central cylindrical drum shaped cupola that is topped by a pitched sloping roof. Its architectural style is typical of churches built during the 10th and 11the centuries, a period known as the “Georgian Golden Age”, when Georgia was governed by a stable Monarchy.

Samtavisi Cathedral Artworks

The exterior of Samtavisi Cathedral has fine bas relief sculptures and mouldings around its blind arches. The interior has 17th century fresco remains which are sadly badly damaged.

A 17th century curtain wall still stands in places around Samtavisi Cathedral as does its bell tower ,which also serves as the entrance to the Cathedral grounds.