Anchiskhati Basilica Religious Site

Address: Anchiskhati area, Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia

Hours: Open daily (daylight hours; may vary for services)

Admission: Free to enter (donations accepted)

Anchiskhati Basilica is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Georgia, with origins traditionally dated to the 6th century and named for the Anchiskhati icon. It is one of the city’s most historic ecclesiastical structures and a well-known landmark of the old town.

Inside the church visitors encounter a compact, single-nave basilica plan with later-period architectural and decorative additions, and the celebrated Anchiskhati icon that gave the church its name. The interior contains fresco fragments and elements from multiple restoration phases.

The basilica was founded in the early medieval period and has undergone several reconstructions and restorations over the centuries, reflecting the changing fortunes of Tbilisi and the Georgian Orthodox Church. It remained an active parish church and a focal point for devotional practice through successive historical periods.

The church stands in Tbilisi’s historic centre on a main street of the old city and is easily reached on foot from other central landmarks. Its location places it within the dense urban fabric of Georgia’s capital.

Anchiskhati Basilica is in Tbilisi’s Old Town on Anchiskhati Street near Freedom (Tavisuplebis) Square. It is a short walk from central Tbilisi - about 5-10 minutes from Freedom Square and roughly 10-15 minutes on foot from the Rustaveli avenue/metro area. The site is easily reached by central city buses, taxis or on foot when exploring the historic downtown.

• Visit early or late in the day to enjoy the basilica's interior atmosphere away from midday tourist groups in Old Tbilisi.
• Check service times before visiting-Anchiskhati is an active church and parts of the interior may be closed during liturgies.
• Combine a visit with nearby Old Town highlights (Sioni Cathedral, Narikala fortress and the surrounding streets) since the basilica is centrally located and easy to include on a short walking route.