Sioni Cathedral (Sioni)

Sioni Cathedral, formally the Dormition Cathedral of Sioni, stands on Sioni Street in Old Tbilisi, Georgia, near the Mtkvari River and a few minutes from Freedom Square. The first church on the site dates to the 6th and 7th centuries, and the present building, a cross-in-square design in pale stone, took its main form in the 13th century, with extensive rebuilding after Persian and Ottoman invasions, notably in the 17th and 19th centuries. It has long served as a cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and was the seat of the Patriarch before Sameba Cathedral was completed. Inside, visitors see walls covered in frescoes, painted in the 19th century, and a dim, incense-scented interior. The most revered object is the Grapevine Cross of St Nino, kept in a side chapel to the right of the iconostasis; according to tradition, St Nino brought the cross to Georgia in the 4th century, binding two vine branches with her own hair. Worshippers light candles and kiss icons, and services draw crowds, so visitors are asked to remain quiet. The cathedral is free to enter and open roughly 8:00AM to 7:00PM daily, but the interior closes to sightseeing during services. A visit takes about 30 minutes. Dress is modest: shoulders and knees must be covered, and women may borrow a headscarf at the entrance. Photography is usually restricted inside, so check signs. The cathedral is quietest on weekday midday, and busiest on Sundays and religious holidays. From the courtyard, visitors can look over the roofs of the old town toward the river and the Metekhi Church, and Sioni Street is lined with cafes, wine shops and galleries. It combines easily with the nearby Anchiskhati Basilica, the Bridge of Peace and a walk to the Sulfur Baths. Entry is via a short flight of steps, and the interior floor is stone.