Gilded dome
Seen across the city.
Goichev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SayaAndy — CC BY 4.0 · Goichev — CC BY-SA 4.0 · mischvalente — CC BY 2.0 · Vyacheslav Argenberg — CC BY 4.0 · Zurab Shamatava — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Goichev — CC BY-SA 4.0
The main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church, known as «Sameba», the Trinity, crowns Elia Hill in the Avlabari district on the left bank of the Mtkvari, and its gilded dome is visible from most of the city. It is one of the largest religious buildings in the world by area and the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral. The idea arose in 1989 to mark 1,500 years of the Georgian Church's autocephaly and 2,000 years since the birth of Christ, and the architect Archil Mindiashvili won the design contest. The foundation stone was laid in 1995, the work was funded mostly by donations from businessmen and ordinary citizens, and it was consecrated in 2004 on St George's Day. Its design blends the styles of Georgian church architecture across the ages with Byzantine touches. From ground level to the top of the cross it rises about eighty-six metres, and a gilded cross seven and a half metres tall tops the dome. It holds nine chapels, five of them in a large underground level, surrounded by courtyards, gardens and a bell tower. Entry is free, and services go on throughout the day, so move quietly and respect worshippers. Modest dress is expected: women usually cover their hair and wear a skirt (wraps are often lent at the door), and men avoid shorts. Photography inside may be restricted, so ask before taking pictures.
Seen across the city.
Icons and chandeliers.
City views.
Elia Hill in Avlabari, on the left bank of the river, Tbilisi
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