Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (same as Church of Orbelianebi) is located in Shida Kartli, Gori Municipality, in the center of the village of Didi Ateni. The cross-domed church, which is a simple, equilateral cross in the plan, dates back to the VII-IX centuries. The church is built of cobblestone, green tufa stone is also used on the facades. There is one window on each shoulder, four- in the Octagonal dome. The window of the altar is completed by an horseshoe-shaped arch, carved in stone. The width of the throat of the dome is one and a half times greater than the shoulders of the cross, which increases the space under the dome. The transition from the throat of the dome to under the dome is made by two rows of trompes. The dome is covered with stone slabs. The temple has two entrances, one from the south and one from the west. Later, green stones were placed in the decorated tympanum and niches of the door, with inscriptions carved on them, however, it is impossible to read them due to the damage. On the tympanum of the west door there is a relief composition and the Asomtavruli inscription is carved: “May Jesus Christ bless Rati Eristavi, son of Liparit Eristavi, who built the house of God and the Holy Church, to pray for the souls”. According to this inscription, it is conceivable that Rati Eristavi rebuilt the church in the X century and declared himself a builder. In the X century, the throat of the dome was covered with green tufa. According to a Mkhedruli inscription on the architrave of the south door, the western annex was erected in 1870 by Priest David Davidov.

How to get there

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is located in Shida Kartli, Gori Municipality, in the center of the village of Didi Ateni, 11 km away from gori. The road goes to the village.