Nikortsminda Cathedral
ნიკორწმინდის ტაძარი
A masterpiece of 11th-century Georgian medieval architecture, its exterior covered in exquisite stone carvings, and the most important church in the Racha region.
Nikortsminda Cathedral was built between 1010 and 1014 by King Bagrat III and stands in the village of the same name in the Racha mountains. The church has a cross-domed structure, and its tall drum has several windows. The façade and lintels are covered with reliefs of biblical scenes, knights, saints, and decorative patterns, and the church is considered the pinnacle of Georgian medieval stone carving. It is on UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Admission is free, but women should wear a headscarf and a skirt. A drive or hired car from Kutaisi takes about 2 hours, and the church is often combined with Ambrolauri and Shaori Lake in a one-day Racha tour.
Opening hours
Open daytime (please keep quiet during services)
Nearby sights
- Katskhi Pillar
- Chiatura
- Gelati Monastery
- Motsameta Monastery
- Ubisa Monastery
- Kutaisi Botanical Garden
- Bagrati Cathedral
- Colchis Fountain