Gergeti Trinity Church

Gergeti Trinity Church

On the outskirts of Stepantsminda, a mountain town that invites exploration and endless panoramas, is the Gergeti Trinity Church. The breathtaking beauty of the church and the magnificent setting will leave you breathless. Enhanced by its unique location, the church itself is an outstanding example of contemporary Georgian church architecture. As with many Georgian churches, the two-level Gergeti Trinity Church is enclosed by a wall and has a hidden second floor where priests and parishioners would have hidden in case of invasion. The cross of St. Nino, now in Tbilisi's Sioni Church, was hidden in the church during the dangerous years of the Middle Ages. The church contains amazing pieces of 16th-century art, including images of the Mother of God, the Savior, John the Baptist, and Saint Nino. There are also two somewhat odd icons - Saavdro ("for bad weather") and Sadaro ("for good weather"). The church is the only cross-domed church in Khevi province and was built in the 14th century by an unknown architect. The detached bell tower is from the same era as the church, though it was constructed slightly later. Its remote location at the top of a steep hill, nestled in the vast expanse of nature, has become a symbol of Georgia. In Soviet times, all religious ceremonies were forbidden, but the church remained a very popular attraction for tourists. Nowadays, the church is an active institution of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. The mountain is 1.5 hours of steep climbing and is a popular stopover for hikers in the area.