Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba)

სამება

Completed in 2004, this 101-meter cathedral is among the tallest Orthodox churches in the world. Its golden dome is visible from almost anywhere in the city, and it serves as the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) was built between 1995 and 2004 to commemorate 1,500 years of Georgian Church autocephaly and 2,000 years since Christianity arrived in the region. It stands on Mount St. Elias in the Avlabari district on the left bank. At 101 meters tall, including the cross, it is one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world and the largest religious building in the Caucasus. It is also the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The architecture follows the traditional Georgian cross-in-dome style, but on a monumental scale. The exterior is built of light-colored stone, and the golden dome can be seen across the city in both sunlight and nighttime illumination. The interior soars 84 meters high. Frescoes and mosaics are still being completed. The handwritten Bible on the main altar and the marble icon screen are worth seeing, and there are several levels of chapels underground. The cathedral grounds include a 5,000-square-meter garden, a bell tower, a seminary and the Patriarch’s residence. From the lawns, you can photograph the cathedral in full, and there are views across to Narikala Fortress. Entry is free and the cathedral is open all day. Women must cover their heads with a scarf and wear a skirt that reaches below the knee (free scarves and wraps are available at the entrance), and men may not wear shorts. On Sunday mornings and religious holidays, there are solemn services where you can hear Georgia’s distinctive polyphonic chant, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Getting there: a 10-minute uphill walk from Avlabari Metro Station, or a 20-minute walk from Peace Bridge. It’s best combined with a visit to Metekhi Church and the Armenian church in Avlabari, and one hour is enough for the cathedral.

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba)

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby