Nikortsminda Cathedral is located in the village of Nikortsminda in Georgia’s Racha region and was built between 1010 and 1014 during the reign of King Bagrat III. It is regarded as an outstanding example of Georgian medieval architecture. The light-colored limestone façade is decorated with some very nice carved reliefs, ranging from simple crosses to biblical scenes and mythical creatures. 

One of the cathedral’s most distinctive features is its rare hexagonal (six-sided) interior layout, an unexpected surprise when stepping inside. The walls are painted with 17th-century frescoes, remarkably well preserved . Despite its name (Cathedral), from the outside, the building resembles a typical Georgian church.

We really enjoyed our visit, but I’m not entirely sure it rises to the level of outstanding universal value needed for World Heritage status. Georgia already has many remarkable churches, both inscribed and not, so there would need to be something truly exceptional to justify another addition. The carvings are exquisite, the layout distinctive, and the frescoes nice - but is that enough? I’m not convinced. To be honest, I’d much rather see some of Georgia’s other sites, like Shatili or Tusheti, put forward instead,¨.

The cathedral is set in a mountainous area about 50 km from Kutaisi and can be reached via a paved but winding road when traveling by car. Entry is free, and it remains an active place of worship and pilgrimage. The cathedral can also be visited on route  to/from Svaneti thanks to the newly paved road over Zagar Pass. This road is now passable with a regular car.