Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, Tbilisi (must see)

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba, stands proudly as the primary cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Tbilisi. From 1995 to 2004, this magnificent structure was meticulously built, becoming the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral worldwide and one of the largest religious edifices in terms of total area. Sameba embodies a harmonious blend of traditional styles that have prevailed in Georgian church architecture throughout different periods, with subtle echoes of Byzantine influence.

In 1989, the idea of building a new cathedral to commemorate the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the birth of Jesus emerged. An international contest was announced in May 1989, and architect Archil Mindiashvili's design won. Due to civil unrest, the plan was delayed for six years until November 1995 when the foundation was laid. On November 23, 2004, the cathedral was consecrated. The chosen site included an old Armenian cemetery called Khojavank, which had been destroyed during the Soviet period.

Holy Trinity Cathedral is located on Elia Hill in Avlabari, Old Tbilisi, overlooking the Kura River. It features a traditional Georgian design with a vertical emphasis. The cathedral has a cruciform plan with a dome supported by eight columns. The dome is topped with a 7.5-meter-tall gold cross. The cathedral includes nine chapels, with five underground. It covers an area of 3,000 square meters. The construction uses natural materials, and the murals are painted by a group of artists led by Amiran Goglidze. The cathedral complex also includes a bell tower, the Patriarch's residence, a monastery, a seminary, an academy, workshops, and rest areas.