Saint Nicholas Church in Narikala

St. Nicholas Church of Narikala is located within the territory of Narikala Fortress, in the historic part of Tbilisi. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages. According to available evidence, the original church was built in the 13th century, during the reign of King Demetre II the Devoted (1270–1289). Archaeological remains discovered during excavations confirmed that the church was a cross-in-square structure.

By the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Narikala Church was already marked on maps of Old Tbilisi. At the beginning of the 19th century, Russian General Yermolov converted it into a gunpowder depot, which led to a powerful explosion and the almost complete destruction of the church. During archaeological excavations carried out at Narikala in 1966, the foundations and surviving sections of the walls of the old church were uncovered, including traces of wall paintings.

The idea of restoring the church was realised at the end of the 20th century. In 1996, construction of a new church began on the old foundations, incorporating the surviving 13th-century remains into the new structure. The restored church closely follows the proportions and architectural character of the original building. It was constructed using Georgian brick, Bolnisi tuff and sandstone, and its façades are adorned with Georgian carved ornamentation. On April 6, 1997, the church was reconsecrated.

The interior of the present-day church was entirely painted by Davit Khidasheli and Lado Tevdoradze.