the viewing deck: Kutaisi Afternoon Tour 2nd part; Bagrati & Motsameta Cathedral

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Kutaisi Afternoon Tour 2nd part; Bagrati & Motsameta Cathedral

4-days Solo Trip in Winter Republic of Georgia

January 28 to February 01, 2014

Kutaisi afternoon tour 1st part; Gelati Cathedral

The Kutaisi Cathedral of Dormition "Bagrati Cathedral", the symbol of united Georgian Kingdom, was founded by the first king of united Georgia Bagrat III Bagrationi (978-1014). According to the inscription on the facade, the construction was completed in 1003. Bagrati Cathedral is one of he biggest architectural monuments of Georgia. Its cupola was supported by four free standing pillars. On the Eastern and Northern Walls of Bagrati Cathedral there are carved inscriptions. The earliest inscription of Arabic numerals in Georgia is preserved on the Northern window of the Cathedral. The archeological excavations of the territory of Bagrati Cathedral has revealed the cultural layers of different periods, among them the fragments of a 4th century church, the mosaic floor dated to 1003 and several royal burial vaults. Since 1994 Bagrati Cathedral has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to go to Bagrati and Motsameta Cathedrals;

From Kutaisi Bus terminal (where the only McDo is located), negotiate a cab for roundtrip (including waiting time for your church stroll and photo-ops) going to the three famous Kutaisi Monasteries (Gelati, Bagrati and Motsameta) for 30 GEL ($17.4) max. All taxi drivers know this places. Travel time to Uplistsikhe is around 5 minutes only. No entrance fee. I strolled this three monasteries around more than an hour including photo-ops and a little bit meditation embrace.