Nikortsminda Cathedral

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

The cathedral is formed of five interior apses, from which rise the massive dome, resting upon half-pillar shaped apse projections. It is abundantly lit by the twelve windows of the drum. The transition from the hexahedron of the round drum to the dome circle is effected by means of spheric pendentives. The altar apse bema and the western passage enlarge the interior space. The interior is decorated with frescoes from the 17th century and ornamental sculptural reliefs, reflecting the mastery of the late-Medieval Georgian ecclesiastical art.

The cathedral follows a short-armed rectangular cross plan and has a short segment to the west. The facades of the cathedral are covered with smoothly hewn stone. Decorations include unbroken arcatures and various rich ornaments, including multiple-figured narrative reliefs and episodes (The Transfiguration, The Judgment Day, The Ascension of the Cross, figures of Saint George and Saint Theodore, real and mythic animals, forming one premeditated program). Nikortsminda has among the most beautiful decorations of all Georgian churches and cathedrals as several different styles can be seen.

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  Frescoes on the dome interior.
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  Belfry, 19th century