Nikortsminda Cathedral ( ) is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia.

Nikortsminda was built in 1010-1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia and was repaired in 1634 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell-tower next to the Cathedral was built in the second half of the 19th century. Frescoes inside the Cathedral date from the 17th century.

Details

Stylistically, Nikortsminda reflects the Georgian cross-dome style of architecture.

Dome

Nikortsminda has a massive dome and has unbroken arcatures as its twelve windows, which are decorated with ornamented architraves.

Interior

The Cathedral has a form of five apses from inside and the massive dome rest of the on the half-pillar shaped apse projections. The transition to the dome circle is affected by means of pendentives. Altar apse bema and the western passage make the space greater inside. Interior is decorated with frescoes from the 17th century and the rich ornaments, reflecting the mastery of the late-Medieval Georgian ecclesiastic art.

Exterior

From the outside the Cathedral shapes like a short-armed rectangular cross and has a short segment to the west. The fecades of the Cathedral is covered with smoothly hewn stone. Decorations include unbroken arcatures and various rich ornaments including multiple-figured story-telling reliefs and episodes ( The Transfiguration, The Judgment Day, The Ascension of the Cross, figures of saint, real or imaginary animals, forming one premeditated program). Nikortsminda has one of the most beautiful decorations from all Georgian churches and cathedrals because several different styles can be seen among the them, telling the richness of the selection of motifs and the manner of execution.

Gallery

Image:Nikortsminda1.jpgImage:Nikortsminda cathedral.jpgImage:Nikortsminda2.jpg|The bell tower[521733]

Notes

further photos:[521734][521735]

1. The inscription of the western entrance testifies the fact

References

• The Spiritual Treasure of Georgia. Khelovneba Publishers, Tbilisi: 2005.

External links

Nikortsminda retrieved from Parliament.Ge [521736]