Anchiskhati Basilica in Tbilisi: Anchi Icon and Ancient History

⛪ 6th-century basilica · ⏱️ 30–60 minutes · 📍 Ioane Shavteli Street, Old Tbilisi

🧭 Who This Article Is For

Anchiskhati is one of those spots in Tbilisi that is easy to pass by without realizing exactly what is right in front of you. A small church on Shavteli Street in the Old Town. From the outside, it looks like nothing special by modern standards. Inside, there are 17th-century frescoes, a history dating back to the 6th century, traces of destruction and restoration, and a silence that feels completely unique here. This article is for those who want to visit with intention.

⛪ Fifteen Centuries in the Old Town

Anchiskhati is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. Built in the 6th century, it has survived centuries of wars, destruction, and remodeling — yet it still stands in the exact same spot on Ioane Shavteli Street in the heart of the Old Town.

The original name of the church was the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, dedicated to the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. It bore this name for over a thousand years.

The Renaming in 1664

In 1664, the miraculous icon of the Savior of Anchi was brought to the church from southern Georgia. The icon was crafted by the outstanding master of gold-embossing Beka Opizari, one of the most famous Georgian goldsmiths and artists of the Middle Ages. The arrival of this icon changed the very name of the sanctuary: the church became known as "Anchiskhati" — literally "the icon of Anchi".

Later, the icon was moved: currently, it is preserved in the Georgian National Museum, where it can be seen today.

🏛️ Architecture: What Exactly to Look For

The three-nave basilica is a classic early Christian style of church building. The rectangular structure is divided inside by two rows of columns into three parts (naves). The semicircular apses in the eastern part are a nod to ancient architectural traditions.

Due to repeated destructions and rebuilds, the stone walls were replaced with brick at some point. This is the result of several restorations following wars with the Ottoman and Persian armies.

There are three entrances — from the south, north, and west. Currently, only the western one is open.

What to See on the Outside

• Wooden doors with Georgian ornaments — every entrance is adorned with them. The ornamentation is authentic and has survived through all the reconstructions.
• A relief featuring a Bolnisi cross and an angel figure — located on the western facade. It is one of the few surviving elements of the original decoration.

What to See Inside

• 17th-century frescoes — adorn the walls. Following restorations, the authentic motifs were preserved wherever possible.
• The bell tower of 1675 — added to the western part of the church by Catholicos Domenti. It is a two-story brick tower with decorative niches on the second tier.

🎓 A School for Georgian Princes

This is one of the most unexpected facts about Anchiskhati — and one of the most significant.

In 1755, the Georgian King Heraclius II decided to open a public school and a theological seminary at the church. It was within the walls of this very church that Georgian princes were educated.

The curriculum was broad: besides the Word of God and church history, they taught physics, arithmetic, the Georgian language, grammar, rhetoric, and logic. This was one of the earliest experiences of systematic secular education in Georgia at that time.

🗺️ How to Guide Your Visit

1️⃣ Walk up to the western facade — this is where the only open entrance and the relief with the Bolnisi cross and angel are located.

2️⃣ Examine the carved wooden doors with Georgian ornamentation — this is one of the most recognizable elements of the church.

3️⃣ Step inside — let your eyes adjust to the light. The space of the three-nave basilica is perceived much differently from the inside than from the outside.

4️⃣ Locate the 17th-century frescoes — look for them on the walls of the naves.

5️⃣ Go back outside and inspect the bell tower of 1675 on the southwest side — its brickwork and niches are clearly visible.

6️⃣ Nearby is the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater and other landmarks of the Old Town. Combine them into a single route.

💬 What Visitors Say

"I never realized that Anchiskhati is not just the oldest church in Tbilisi, but also the place where Georgian princes were educated! It's fascinating to learn that they even taught physics and arithmetic here. Now I absolutely want to see this place with my own eyes, especially the frescoes and the famous doors with Georgian ornaments."

"At first glance, it seems like an ordinary church. Georgia is full of them. And that is the most deceptive judgment. The Anchiskhati Church is truly amazing, even just by its history."

"I was in Old Tbilisi and visited the Anchiskhati Church. The architecture is impressive, especially the wooden doors with Georgian patterns. The history of the temple is rich; it's amazing how it was restored after destructions."

"This is a historical place radiating a unique atmosphere of spirituality and peace. The shades of light filtering through the window panes create a magical illumination that gives the prayer hall a special aura."

🏁 Why Go

Anchiskhati is not the most monumental church in Tbilisi. It is not the largest, nor the most lavishly decorated. But it is the oldest surviving one. Fifteen hundred years of history are tucked just a few meters away from the bustling tourist paths. Frescoes, carved doors, the icon for which the temple itself was renamed, and a bell tower built in the same year they only just began building St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

ℹ️ Admission to the basilica is free. Entrance through the western doors. Women need a headscarf. Located on Ioane Shavteli St in Old Tbilisi. The Icon of Anchi is kept in the Georgian National Museum — that requires a separate visit. Information is current at the time of publication.

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• Saint Gabriel Church in Tsikhisdzhvari: Basilica
• Tsandripsh Basilica: Byzantine Church and History