Karapi St. George Church

Karapi St. George Church is located in the historic district of Kldisubani on the slope of the Sololaki Ridge. The church acquired the foundation of its present appearance after a major reconstruction in 1753, funded by local resident Petros Zohrabyan and his wife Lalita. The name "Karapi" translates as "rocky cliff," which fully corresponds to the location of the church: the building is literally carved into the mountain slope and surrounded by the dense development of old Tbilisi.

According to historical records, the Armenian Church of St. Gevorg existed here as early as the start of the 17th century. During the sacking of Tbilisi by the forces of Agha Mohammad Khan in 1795, the church suffered extensive damage, yet its walls survived and it was subsequently restored. In the 19th century, the church was reconstructed and reinforced once more, while throughout the Soviet period it served utilitarian storage needs. In 1991, the church was transferred to the Georgian Orthodox Church and reconsecrated.

Today Karapi remains an active church. Traces of different construction eras are clearly visible on its facades: coarse gray stone sits alongside later brickwork, while the main facade is decorated with a cross and decorative rhombuses laid out from dark overfired brick. The church is tucked away among the narrow streets of Kldisubani and is barely noticeable from the street, which is why it still preserves the atmosphere of old Tbilisi hidden among the cliffs of Sololaki.