Ikorta dome cathedral is located on the territory occupied by Russia, 35 km from the town of Tskhinvali. Not far from cathedral there is a family fortress of Ksani rulers. Ikorta cathedral was built by Giorgi III in 1172. By its layout, the dome of a square construction is based on the buttress of an altar and two pillars. Cathedral has a lavish light from 12 windows built in the neck of a dome. Fragments of mural paintings have been preserved in apses, on the northern wall and on the dome. Facades of the cathedral and a neck of the dome are richly ornamented. Ikorta is the earliest specimen of canonic dome church in Kartli of XII-XIII cc. Leaders of anti-Iranian rebellion in Kakheti Bidzina Cholokashvili, Shalva and Elizbar Eristavi of Ksani were laid to rest at Ikorta cathedral.

Largvisi monastery complex is located on the right bank of river Ksani, Akhalgori region, on the territory of Shida Kartli occupied by Russia. According to historical tradition, Largvisi became a town and a church was built in VI century (historical chronicle “The Monument of the eristavi”. XIV c.). Largvisi was a center of Tskhradzmiskhevi, there was a fortress there which was the main barrier of Ksani gorge. Famous calligrapher and painter Avgaroz Bandaisdze and his brother Grigol Bandaisdze (XIV-XV cc.) used to work at Largvisi monastery. Many manuscripts were rewritten at the monastery which have survived until our time and nowadays are kept at the National Center of Manuscripts. Largvisi monastery complex is encircled by a fence with towers (XVIII c.). Within the fence there is an inside fortress-citadel. Today’s dome cathedral was built on the place of a XIV century church in 1759 by Ksani ruler, David. Cathedral has 2 entrances (from the west and south) and is lavishly lit through windows. On the top of deacon’s room a cache is set up. There are gun emplacements. The church overall is less ornamented and the jacket stone of the church is poorly processed.

Ikorta and Largvisi