Tsilkani cathedral, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia.
Tsilkani cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox place of worship in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia, featuring a domed central chamber supported by interior pillars. The stone walls surround a space that divides into four arms radiating from the center, creating an organized interior arrangement that guides movement and focus.
The building began as a simple hall-church in the fourth century and evolved through structural changes driven by theological and technical developments. Major modifications occurred during the sixth century when the layout expanded, and again later when a dome was added to the central space.
The cathedral remains a pilgrimage destination where visitors can observe local worship practices and religious ceremonies that connect the community to centuries of faith. The building anchors the spiritual identity of the surrounding region and shapes how people move through this rural landscape.
The site is most easily reached by shared minibuses that depart regularly from Tbilisi to Mtskheta and serve the wider region. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the approach involves walking on uneven terrain and stony paths around the rural setting.
Beneath the surface lie remnants from the Bronze Age, including an ancient burial mound that predates the current structure by many centuries. Underground, a Christian chapel contains carved Greek text, revealing how deep the roots of faith run at this location.
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