Samtsevrisi church, Medieval Orthodox church in Kareli Municipality, Georgia
Samtsevrisi is a church standing on a low hill near the Dzama river in Kareli Municipality, Georgia. The building features an octagonal dome and exterior walls made from sandstone blocks with grayish-red tones.
The building was constructed in the first half of the seventh century and demonstrates the development of Georgian sacred architecture through its free-cross floor plan. After earthquake damage occurred in the mid-twentieth century, extensive repair work was undertaken to preserve the structure.
The church contains inscriptions in medieval Georgian script that reveal details about construction efforts and water management projects in the region. These texts offer insight into the religious and practical concerns of people living here centuries ago.
The church sits near Georgia's main east-west highway and railway line, making it accessible by road. When visiting, prepare for rural surroundings and basic paths leading to the site.
The building was originally constructed with exposed sandstone blocks that have weathered the elements over many centuries. Twentieth-century restoration efforts proved necessary to keep the original structure from deteriorating further.
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