Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral Religious Site

Address: Sioni Cathedral (Sioni), Sioni Street area, Tbilisi, Georgia

Admission: Free entry (active cathedral; donations welcome).

Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is a principal Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historic centre of Tbilisi. It is one of the city’s main churches and a focal point of religious life in the old town.

The cathedral’s architecture and interior contain important liturgical furnishings and icons that reflect Georgian ecclesiastical traditions. It has been rebuilt and renovated several times across centuries, with layers of medieval and later fabric visible in the structure.

Originally established in the medieval period, the church has been replaced and restored after damage from wars and earthquakes; the present building preserves elements from various reconstruction phases. The cathedral continues to function as an active parish and a site for national and local religious ceremonies.

The cathedral sits in Tbilisi’s old town near the river Kura and is within walking distance of other central landmarks in the city.

• Dedication: Dedicated to the Dormition (Assumption) of the Virgin Mary and an important cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Tbilisi’s old town.
• Location: Sits in the historic centre of Tbilisi and forms part of the city’s core cluster of medieval churches and monasteries on the right bank of the Kura river.

Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is located in Tbilisi’s Old Town, close to the Metekhi area and Narikala fortress. It’s an easy walk from central points such as Freedom Square or Rustaveli (about 10-15 minutes on foot). From Tbilisi International Airport the site is roughly 15-20 km by road (around 25-35 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic).

• Go outside of major church-service times (mornings on Sundays and major Georgian Orthodox feast days) if you want to photograph the interior and move around freely.
• Dress modestly when visiting the cathedral (shoulders and knees covered) and ask permission before photographing clergy or worshippers - the cathedral is still an active place of worship.
• Take a short walk around the cathedral's terraces for elevated views of Tbilisi Old Town and the Kura River; those panoramic vantage points are often missed by visitors who remain inside only.