Saint Karapet Church, Tbilisi, Armenian church in Old Tbilisi, Georgia.
Saint Karapet Church is an Armenian house of worship in Tbilisi situated between the Chugureti and Avlabari neighborhoods, marked by traditional Armenian construction using stone walls and angular geometric patterns. The building demonstrates characteristic Armenian architectural methods in its structured design and material choices.
The foundation date is disputed: a list compiled for Nerses Ashtaraketsi credits nobleman Baghdasar Isahak Kamazov with building it in 1705, while other sources name Kazazov and give 1400, renovated in 1790. A stone note in Bethlehem Church's drum claims Amir Agha and Beki khatun built it in 1664. It survived the 1930s demolition of 11 Armenian churches ordered by Lavrentiy Beria, and in 1995 was reconsecrated as a Georgian Orthodox church.
The church is dedicated to Saint Karapet, the Armenian name for John the Baptist. A 1903 issue of the Tbilisi newspaper Vsye Kavkaz described the church's patronal feast on 26 July, when Armenians from nearby districts filled the churchyard and the Avlabari heights, with zurna music playing all day. The church also ran a school attended by the writer Nar-Dos.
The building is located in the Old Town area between two established neighborhoods and is accessible on foot. Visitors should be aware that it remains an active place of worship where respectful behavior is expected.
The ornately carved doors featuring Armenian artistic patterns were removed from the building after the Soviet Union's collapse and are no longer visible today. Additionally, its bell tower was demolished in 1995, significantly changing the site's appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,325 contributors worldwide.