Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba)

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, known as Sameba, stands on Elia Hill in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi, Georgia, at 19 Samrekloa Street, overlooking the Mtkvari River and the Old Town. Construction began in 1995 and the cathedral was consecrated in November 2004, making it a landmark of the post-Soviet period. The project was proposed in the late Soviet years and built with donations and state support after independence. The architect Archil Mindiashvili designed it in a traditional Georgian style, using a cross-in-square plan, a large central dome and a series of smaller domes and apses. The building is about 87 metres tall and one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the Caucasus. The exterior is faced in sandstone, with a gilded cross at the top, and it can be seen from much of the city. The interior is vast, with a high central dome, decorative murals, icons and a large iconostasis, and the complex contains several chapels, a bell tower and a monastery. It is the seat of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The cathedral is an active place of worship and attracts pilgrims, weddings and baptisms. Visitors can enter during opening hours, but access is limited during services. Dress is expected to be modest, with covered shoulders and knees, and women normally cover their heads; scarves and wraps are often available at the entrance. The grounds are spacious and include gardens, and the hilltop location gives broad views over Tbilisi. It is a short taxi or walk from Avlabari metro station and Rike Park.