Armenian Church of St. George in Surami

The Armenian Church of St. George in Surami, also known as St. George's Cathedral in Surami, is a historical temple located on the left side of the Tbilisi-Kutaisi highway in Daba-Surami. Dating from the 18th-19th centuries, the church was restored in 1968. The building is made in the form of a cross-dome structure with dimensions of 11.5 x 17.2 meters and a bell tower located on the western side.

The church is built of brick and rubble, and its entrances are on the south and west sides. The internal space is formed by sleeves extending from the central dome square to all four sides. The eastern wing ends with a semicircular deep apse and a berm, while the remaining arms are square in shape. The sleeves on the south and north sides are shorter than the west wing.

On the axis of the apse there is one high window, and on the sides of it there are arched niches. The sanctuary platform is raised and extends beyond the stage, with a table stone in a central position. To the north and south of the altar there are rooms for the church and the diaconate. There are two windows cut into the longitudinal walls of the church, and 12 large arched windows are located in the neck of the dome. The dome is raised on semicircular arches supported by two free-standing western columns. The interior walls of the church are decorated with paintings.

The bell tower of the temple has four floors and an entrance from the west, corresponding to the axis of the church door. The upper floor is completed by a pyramidal roof with arches supported by wooden posts for hanging bells. The bell tower also houses a garden of love, made of profiled sandstone.

The Armenian Church of St. George in Surami attracts with its historical and architectural value, being an important attraction for history researchers and architecture lovers, as well as for those interested in religious art and cultural heritage of the region. Visitors can enjoy the unique combination of architectural elements, immerse themselves in the atmosphere of bygone eras and get acquainted with the religious traditions of the place.