Narikala, Metekhi and Sameba

Three silhouettes define the Tbilisi skyline, and you can see them from almost anywhere in the centre. Narikala Fortress has guarded the ridge above the Old Town since the 4th century, with the Church of St Nicholas inside its walls. Metekhi Church was built in the 13th century on a cliff above the Mtkvari, next to the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the founder of the city. The Holy Trinity Cathedral, known as Sameba, was consecrated in 2004 and is considered the largest church in Georgia. The gallery shows the fortress, the churches and the views from their walls in golden evening light, under storm clouds and lit up at night.

Narikala fortress walls and Saint Nicholas church above the Mtkvari river in Tbilisi

Narikala fortress above the carved wooden balconies and tiled roofs of Old Tbilisi

Narikala fortress and Saint Nicholas church lit by golden evening light in Tbilisi

Bells beside the brick walls of Narikala fortress in Tbilisi

Illuminated walls of Narikala fortress on the ridge above night Tbilisi

Narikala fortress above the brick domes of the Abanotubani sulfur baths in Tbilisi

Narikala fortress on the ridge above the old town of Tbilisi under heavy clouds

Illuminated Narikala fortress above the old town of Tbilisi at blue hour

Metekhi Church above the Mtkvari in Tbilisi mirrored in calm winter water

Metekhi church and the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali in Tbilisi

Metekhi Church on its cliff above the Mtkvari river and bridge in Tbilisi

Brick Metekhi church standing on its rocky cliff above the Mtkvari river in Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi glowing above the city at dusk

Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi framed by a stone gate arch on wet paving at dusk

Open belfry of the Sameba complex in Tbilisi with the golden cathedral dome behind

Entrance gate and cross lined alley of Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi with Mtatsminda behind

Golden dome of Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi against a dark storm sky

Holy Trinity Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi framed by a stone arch against the sun

Small church in the cypress gardens of the Sameba complex in Tbilisi at dusk

Woman on the Narikala fortress wall looking over Tbilisi towards Sameba cathedral