Dranda Cathedral
| Dranda Cathedral Нанҳәа иазку Дранда-ныха დრანდის ტაძარი |
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Dranda Cathedral
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| Basic information | |
| Location |
Dranda, Gulripshi District, Georgia Abkhazia (de facto) |
| Affiliation | Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Country | Abkhazia |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Radial |
| Architectural style | Byzantine, Georgian; Cathedral |
| Founder | Possibly Justinian I |
| Groundbreaking | Possibly early-mid 6th century. |
| Completed | Possibly 551 |
Dranda Cathedral (Abkhaz: Нанҳәа иазку Дранда-ныха, Georgian: დრანდის ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox Cathedral located in Dranda, in the Gulripshi district of the de facto independent Republic of Abkhazia, internationally recognised to constitute a part of Georgia.
According to the Roman historian Procopius of Caesarea, in 551 emperor Justinian I built a temple in these environs, this is believed by some to have been what is now the cathedral in Dranda. In the Georgian Orthodox Catholicate of Abkhazia, Dranda was the seat of a Bishop.
There has been some restoration on the exterior walls of the structure and roof, covering with stucco much of the original brick architecture that was once visible. Small portions may still be seen in what was intentionally left untouched.
Close-up of the exterior wall.
Baptismal font before the reconstruction
Interior with the font (after reconstruction) in the background
Coordinates: 42°52′27″N 41°09′44″E / 42.87417°N 41.16222°E
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Wikipedia