Sunlight illuminates the iconostasis of Saint David church

photo rights reserved by B℮n

The Mama Daviti Church, also known as the Saint David Church, is located at the foot of the Mtatsminda Hill in Tbilisi, Georgia. The church is named after St. David Garejeli, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia in the 6th century to spread Christianity. According to legend, St. David lived as a hermit on the Mtatsminda Hill and built a small chapel on the site where the church now stands. The Mama Daviti Church has undergone several renovations throughout the centuries. In addition to its religious significance, the church is also an important historical site as many famous Georgian figures are buried there. In fact, the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures is located around the church. This makes it a culturally and historically significant location in Georgia. The interior is a beautiful example of traditional Georgian church architecture, imbued with serene simplicity and deep spirituality. Although it appears simple from the outside, the interior is rich in religious symbolism and artwork. The walls of the church are decorated with frescoes and icons depicting biblical scenes and saints, such as St. David Garejeli, after whom the church is named. The altar is located in the sanctuary, behind an iconostasis—a decorated wall of icons that separates the church space from the altar. This iconostasis is often richly detailed with religious images and gold accents, emphasizing the sacredness of the space. Visitors can light candles by the icons as a symbol of their prayers. The soft lighting, combined with the natural light coming through the windows, creates a serene, almost mystical atmosphere. The interior exudes simplicity, yet at the same time a sense of sacredness and tranquility, making it a spiritual place for locals and visitors alike.

To get to Mama Daviti Church, near Mtatsminda Park, it's best to take the cable car. The cable car is a well-known way to reach the top of Mtatsminda Hill, where the park is located. The cable car station is on Chonkadze Street. Take the cable car up towards the park. There’s a stop halfway at Mama Daviti Church. You can get off here to visit the church, then continue to the park or walk the rest of the way. At the church, you can enjoy the view of Tbilisi and visit the pantheon. If you like walking, you can easily walk down to the city center in about 30 minutes.

De Mama Daviti Kerk , ook wel bekend als de Heilige David Kerk, bevindt zich bij de voet van de Mtatsminda-heuvel in Tbilisi, Georgië. De kerk is genoemd naar St. David Garejeli, een van de dertien Assyrische vaders die in de 6e eeuw naar Georgië kwamen om het christendom te verspreiden. Volgens de legende leefde St. David als een kluizenaar op de Mtatsminda-heuvel en bouwde hij een kleine kapel op de plek waar nu de kerk staat. De Mama Daviti Kerk heeft door de eeuwen heen verschillende renovaties ondergaan. Naast haar religieuze betekenis is de kerk ook een belangrijke historische plek omdat veel beroemde Georgische figuren er begraven liggen . Het Pantheon van schrijvers en publieke figuren van Mtatsminda bevindt zich namelijk rondom de kerk. Dit maakt het een cultureel en historisch belangrijke locatie in Georgië. Het interieur is een prachtig voorbeeld van traditionele Georgische kerkarchitectuur, doordrenkt met serene eenvoud en diepe spiritualiteit. Hoewel het van buiten eenvoudig oogt, is het binnen rijk aan religieuze symboliek en kunstwerken. De muren van de kerk zijn versierd met fresco’s en iconen die Bijbelse taferelen en heiligen uitbeelden, zoals St. David Garejeli, naar wie de kerk is vernoemd. Het altaar bevindt zich in het heiligdom, achter een iconostase— een versierde wand met iconen die de kerkruimte scheidt van het altaar. Deze iconostase is vaak rijk gedetailleerd met religieuze afbeeldingen en gouden accenten, wat de heiligheid van de ruimte benadrukt. Bezoekers kunnen kaarsen aansteken bij iconen als symbool van hun gebeden. De zachte verlichting, in combinatie met het natuurlijke licht dat door de ramen valt, creëert een serene, bijna mystieke sfeer.

Taken in: Georgia / Okrokana (show map)

Taken on: October 17, 2023

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Camera: Canon EOS 6D, f/5.0, 1/100 sec, 24mm, ISO 2500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 6D
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.01 sec (1/100)
Focal Length:	24mm
ISO:	2500
Exposure Bias:	-4/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	PaintShop Pro 24,00
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