St. Nicholas Church of Chugureti

St. Nicholas Church of Chughureti was built in 1812 by Archpriest Petre Imnadze on the foundations of an earlier church. Originally, a small, undomed church built of stone and brick stood on this site, known as the Church of the Appearance of the Cross.

In 1857–1859, under the direction of Petre Imnadze’s son, Archpriest Ioane, the church was reconstructed and consecrated in honour of Saint Nicholas. In 1861–1863, a dome was added to the church, giving it an appearance closer to its present form.

Significant changes were made to the church between 1901 and 1904. At the initiative of Priest Solomon Shoshiashvili and with donations from the parish, the church was enlarged and northern and southern arms were added. During the same period, in 1901–1902, the church was painted by Gigo Zaziashvili, a self-taught artist from Tbilisi. He created the frescoes of David the Builder and King Tamar and restored part of the earlier wall paintings.

In the 1920s, the church was closed by the Soviet authorities. The building was subsequently used for various purposes, including as a folklore theatre, where a concert stage was even installed in the sanctuary.

In 1991, religious services resumed at the church, and in the 1990s, the church was restored through the efforts of Archpriest Grigol Gotsiridze.

Today, St. Nicholas Church is a domed basilica. One of its principal features is the wall painting associated with Gigo Zaziashvili, which gives the church particular artistic significance.