Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Drandi, Abkhazia, Georgia

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Drandi is an architectural miracle of Abkhazia, located in the picturesque village of Drandi in the municipality of Gulripshi. Its majestic walls and magnificent architecture date back to the 6th-7th centuries, embodying a unique combination of Georgian and Byzantine artistic traditions.

This cross-domed temple, built of brick and river stone, surprises with its beauty and scale, reminiscent of the Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta. It was an episcopal center in the 10th-17th centuries, but over time it was rebuilt several times, losing some of its original splendor.

The fate of the church was tested by many trials: attacks by Ottoman landing forces, looting during the war, and even closure by the Soviet authorities in 1924. Despite this, thanks to the efforts of monks and architects, the temple was restored and restored several times, maintaining its historical appearance.

Today, despite the occupation of the territory of Abkhazia, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Drandi remains evidence of the rich cultural heritage of Georgia. This place attracts historians, pilgrims and curious travelers who want to immerse themselves in the ancient secrets and beauty of Georgian architecture.