The most valuable and precious things, from an emotional point of view, always look very simple. Georgia has such a seemingly unremarkable, but very important and valuable for the country cathedral, which is called Bolnisi Sioni. It is located in a small town near Rustavi. The Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is the oldest in the country. Georgian history and the country itself started with it.

If you compare the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral with constrictions of the later period, you will notice that it clearly lacks beauty, sophistication, variety of architecture, and originality of the interior. However, this cathedral is appreciated for its primitiveness, because it was the first.

At the end of the 5th century, there were several similar cathedrals throughout Georgia. However, only one was preserved to our time. It was built by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali at a time when it seemed that Georgian culture might end before its start. Bad relations with the Persians and the Iberian revolt could become the reason for the country’s disappearance.

However, the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral was built, and it still stands today, so we can envy its stability. In fact, the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is a basilica with five cross-shaped pillars, and its walls are lined with smooth turquoise tiles. From the outside, the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral looks very simple. The interior of the ancient building is much richer, although it is a combination of simple and natural forms and proportions. The Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral exudes strength, power, and impressiveness.

Imagine that people have come here to pray for many centuries. How many pleas have these walls heard, how many happy smiles and tears have they seen?

Despite its venerable age, the Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral is still active. Now the very first church in Georgia is an ordinary village church, which is very rarely visited by locals. Much more often, its main visitors are tourists who come on an excursion.

The Bolnisi Sioni Cathedral proves the fact that beauty is in simplicity.