Anchiskhati Basilica
Anchiskhati Basilica
4.5
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Plan your visit
The area
How to get there
  • Freedom Square • 8 min walk
  • Avlabari • 9 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles246 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
71
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
0

Iolanda Guerra e Andrade
Lisbon, Portugal1,904 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Solo
The fact that this 6th century Basilica withstood many attacks, having been damaged due to the ongoing wars between Georgia and the Persians, as well as the Turks and subsequently rebuilt, is in itself reason to be visited. We unfortunately found its doors closed and only managed to photograph it from outside. I was nevertheless impressed by it.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Neha V
Dubai, United Arab Emirates218 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
One of the oldest churches. They dedicate this church to only Queen in the history Virgin Mary. Very beautiful.
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monica D
Washington DC67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Atmospheric old church. It was the main church of Tbilisi before the huge shining new church was built on the hill. Easy to find, in Old Tbilisi.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Xanerin
Alice Springs, Australia1,506 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
This is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. (6th Century). It was built by King Dachi. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati ( icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon created by the 12th century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti was moved to Tbilisi to preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. ( this now at the Art Museum of Georgia). So rich in history and well worth a visit.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK5,871 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
It's worth making a visit to this, the oldest church in Tbilisi. As usual there are many icons and frescos adorning the church.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

arvind1000
Pune, India2,266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
The Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary is one of the oldest surviving churches in Tbilisi. It belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church and dates from the sixth century.
Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti was moved to Tbilisi so preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. The icon was preserved at the Basilica of St Mary for centuries (but now moved to national museum).
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
On the right bank of the river stands a church building which is in extremely poor condition and immediate renovation is more than required. It is the oldest church in Tbilisi, built in the 6th century, originally dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus. In the 17th century, following a transfer of a famous icon of Christ from a monastery in Turkey, the church’s name has been changed to its current name. Scenes from the icon’s history adorn the church’s walls. The contents of the church’s space are AMAZING and extremely rich. NOT 2 B MISSED.
Written 23 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LuizDutraNeto
Rio de Janeiro, RJ8,621 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
"Anchiskhati Basilica" is also known as "Anchiskhati Basilica of Saint Mary" or as "Basilica of the Holy Ancha Icon". It dates from the 6th century and is considered the oldest church in Georgia. It is famous for being the repository of the miraculous "Holy Ancha Icon of the Savior" - a medieval encaustic icon, traditionally considered to be the "Keramidion", a "holy tile" imprinted with the face of Jesus Christ miraculously transferred by contact with the image of Edessa in the 6th or 7th century. The holy icon was brought to Tbilisi, in 1664, from the medieval Georgian Monastery of Ancha in Klarjeti (now in ruins and in the territory of Turkey, near the Turkish village of Anaçli), right before the Ottoman invasion. A long and interesting legend. The original icon is now at the "National Art Museum of Georgia", but a copy of it is kept at the Basilica. Along the centuries, the "Anchiskhati Basilica" has undergone many reconstructions and renovations and, as of September 2019, it was again closed for restorations. From the outside, huge stone blocks in its walls and three naves could be seen. The "Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church' is responsible for its safeguard. Enjoy!
Written 8 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jincognito
Gainesville, FL645 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
Right the hustle-bustle of the old town, is this small, ancient church from the 6th century. They give you coverings for bare legs and ladies heads. Atmospheric inside, but small. It only takes a few minutes to see everything.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Can see only outside, going reconstruction but if you think about year it build....part of history from past.
Written 13 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Anchiskhati Basilica, Tbilisi

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