Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only the city's main Orthodox church, but also one of its most beautiful and iconic architectural structures. Its soaring spires and exquisite neo-Gothic style immediately attract attention, distinguishing it from the city's buildings.

This magnificent temple was originally built as a Roman Catholic church. After Adjara was annexed by the Russian Empire, many foreigners flocked to Batumi, including many Catholics. At the end of the 19th century, they asked for the construction of a temple, and their initiative was supported by famous Georgian philanthropists, the Zubalashvili brothers. Stepan Zubalashvili, in memory of his late mother Elizaveta, who dreamed of a Catholic church in Batumi, financed the construction, which was completed in 1902-1903.

The fate of the church changed dramatically during the Soviet era. It was confiscated by the state, closed, and used for various purposes, including an archive and a high-voltage laboratory, and at one point was even threatened with demolition. However, thanks to the efforts of the Georgian intelligentsia, including the writer Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, the building was saved. In the 1970s, the cathedral was restored, and in the 1980s, it was handed over to the Georgian Orthodox Church. On May 16, 1989, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II consecrated the restored church, after which a mass baptism of about 5,000 people took place there. Since then, it has been an active cathedral.

Today, the cathedral amazes with its external and internal decoration. Its façade is decorated with elements typical of neo-Gothic: high towers, carved ornaments and statues of saints installed in niches on both sides of the entrance. Inside, the temple amazes with the beauty of its stained glass windows. Recognized as a monument of cultural heritage of Georgia, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary remains not only an important spiritual center, but also an integral part of the history and architectural appearance of Batumi.