Samtavisi Cathedral

The Cathedral of Samtawissi or short Samtawissi (Georgian სამთავისის ტაძარი, სამთავისი; sɑmt ʰ ɑvɪsɪs tɑd͡zɑrɪ, sɑmt ʰ ɑvɪsɪ ) is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral church in the Georgian region of Inner Kartli, in the municipality Kaspi, in the same village Samtawissi. It lies on the left bank of the river Lechura.

After a Georgian tradition, the first church in Samtawissi ( Sioni Cathedral, Ertazminda Cathedral, Zilkani and Metechi ) was built by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali addition to the three other Georgian churches. As the year of construction is assumed 472. From the first church today no remains are available. In the 10 to 11 year dog Ertene a small church was built in Samtawissi yet. In the historic Georgian sources information about this building are insufficiently preserved.

The present church was certainly dated by an inscription, which is located at a stone on the western door. Through this inscription also the builder of the building is known. According to the inscription the church of Hilarion Samtawneli was built in 1030. 1050 he also built some outbuildings of the Church complex.

In the 15th century the cathedral was badly damaged. The dome, the western gate and the arches were overturned. In the 16th century Samtawissi was renovated by Gaiane and ' Siaosch Amilachwari. Gaiane was the king of Imereti Bagrat IV and sister Siaosch her ​​son. This renovation was later referred to as " second construction of the Cathedral of Samtawissi ". 1847, the church was again restored.