Nikortsminda Cathedral

Nikortsminda Cathedral ნიკორწმინდის ტაძარი
Nikortsminda Cathedral
Shown within Georgia (country)
Basic information
Location	Nikortsminda, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Province (Mkhare),  Georgia
Geographic coordinates	42°27′34″N 43°05′16″E / 42.4594°N 43.0878°E / 42.4594; 43.0878Coordinates: 42°27′34″N 43°05′16″E / 42.4594°N 43.0878°E / 42.4594; 43.0878
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
District	Racha (historic region)
Region	Caucasus
Status	Active
Architectural description
Architectural type	Domed cruciform plan
Architectural style	Georgian; Cathedral
Groundbreaking	1010
Completed	1014; Belfry: late 19th century
Dome(s)	1

Nikortsminda Cathedral (Georgian: ნიკორწმინდის ტაძარი) 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.

The Cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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

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

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.

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 them, telling the richness of the selection of motifs and the manner of execution.

Frescoes on the dome interior.

Belfry, 19th century