Bagrati Cathedral and Kutaisi, a World Heritage Site
If your travels ever take you to Georgia, you shouldn't leave without visiting Kutaisi, the country's second-largest city, and seeing the magnificent Bagrati Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cathedral, named after King Bagrat III of Georgia and built in the early 11th century, is part of a complex. Although the cathedral, perched atop Kutaisi, along with its churches of St. George and St. Nicholas, suffered damage from an unfortunate fire and was ruined by historical invasions and wars, it was later restored and managed to be included in the World Heritage List. The cathedral, which has become a religious symbol of Georgia, is surrounded by a high stone wall. It presents visitors with one of the finest examples of medieval architecture, with its metalwork and uniquely beautiful mosaic examples worth seeing.
While you're here, don't forget to visit the Gelati Monastery, located about 7 km from the city, which once nurtured the country's finest theologians, scientists, and philosophers.
When you go to see Bagrati Cathedral, you should also make time to explore the city of Kutaisi, which was once occupied by the Ottoman Empire and remained under Ottoman rule for many years. Kutaisi, which has not yet fully benefited from Georgia's rapid transformation, differs from Georgia's other major cities like Tbilisi and Batumi in that you won't find wide avenues, opulent opera and theater halls, or women dressed in black mourning attire on the streets, nor a village market in the heart of the city. However, the Rioni River, flowing through the city center, is like a noble jewel hanging around the city's neck...
In this city that breathes history, as you journey from the present to the past, you can stay in guesthouses run by the hospitable locals instead of hotels, share meals with them, and be deeply surprised by the pianos found in almost every home despite their poverty. Although everything may seem like a dream, it's wise to be cautious when walking alone at night...
