Tibeti (Tbeti) Cathedral & Church Tibeti Church, also referred to as Tibeti Kilisesi or The Cathedral of Tbeti, is located about 15 kilometers from the town of Şavşat in Artvin province. The village housing the church lies at an elevation of approximately 1200 meters, surrounded by thick forests and numerous lakes. This landscape may have inspired the name Tbeti, which is thought to derive from the Georgian word tba-eti, meaning "lake region." Regrettably, the main cathedral complex has sustained significant damage over time, and today, only the remaining fragments of its walls hint at the former splendor of a once-thriving monastic center. The Tibeti Monastery was a medieval Georgian monastic establishment located in the historic region of Tao-Klarjeti in what was then Southern Georgia. The construction of the Tbeti Cathedral is attributed to Bagratid prince Ashot Kukhi, who commissioned its building between 891 and 918. It remains unclear whether the cathedral was originally consecrated to Saint George or the Mother of God. Supporting the theory of a dedication to Saint George is a series of mural paintings located on the ceiling of the western wing, which portray scenes of him sharing his wealth with aides and later being fastened to a wheel while two torturers rotate it over spikes. This decorative scheme has led scholars to believe that the Tbeti Cathedral was likely devoted to Saint George. As time progressed, the Tbeti Monastery evolved into a prominent center of cultural activity, renowned for its production of hagiographies and its role in the development of calligraphy and manuscript art. In the year 995, Ioane Mtbevari—a notable religious hymnographer and translator of Greek texts into Georgian—produced the famous Gospel of Tbeti. Bishop Samuel of Tibeti commissioned this work and had it adorned with intricate miniatures following the style of Byzantine manuscript illumination. Up until the latter part of the 17th century, the Tibeti Cathedral served as a functioning Christian place of worship. Subsequently, it was converted by the local community into a mosque, a function it retained until the closing years of the 19th century. At present, the site is a vacant area, with no religious practices taking place there. Regrettably, the architectural remains of the Tbeti Monastery and Cathedral have suffered further deterioration in recent decades. In 1961, a substantial portion of the roof gave way, along with structural sections on both sides of the cathedral. No additional structures have been identified beyond the primary church, and the absence of sufficient findings from earlier excavations has prevented the continuation of archaeological research or further documentation. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or reach out to us via WhatsApp. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.