Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Svetitiskhoveli Cathedral, located in Mtskheta about 20km (12 miles) to the northwest of Tbilisi. Mtskheta predated Tbilisi as the capital of Iberia until the fifth century AD, and remained the center of Georgian Christianity until the 12th century. The 15th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Pillar of Life), standing at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, was the holiest place in old Georgia. According to legend, the church is built on the spot where Christ’s crucifixion robe was dropped to the ground in AD 328, having been brought from Jerusalem by a local Jew, and fragments of the robe are said to be kept inside the cathedral. The existing church has some impressive royal tombs, a fine icon stand and distinctive carved decoration, including bulls’ heads and semi-pagan fertility symbols.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Entrance to Svetitiskhoveli Cathedral. The Cathedral is located about 20km (12 miles) to the northwest of Tbilisi in the village of Mtskheta.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Side door entrance to the Cathedral.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
The 15th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Pillar of Life) was the holiest place in old Georgia.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
More homes.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
The grounds.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Friars still live here.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
View of Jvari.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Svetitiskhoveli Cathedral's dome.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
According to legend, the church is built on the spot where Christ’s crucifixion robe was dropped to the ground in AD 328.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Front entrance into the Cathedral.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
The existing church has some impressive royal tombs, a fine icon stand and distinctive carved decoration, and semi-pagan fertility symbols.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Frescos.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Frescos.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Frescos.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Kings, queens and princes' are buried here.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Icons.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
The wood paneling is beautiful.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Cathedral grounds.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Wood panels with icons.