Location: Georgia, the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Gagra municipality, Bichvinta settlement.
Constructions inside the complex: the domed church, the old settlement and the hall church.
Historical-architectural description: According to the church legend, in the first century in Bichvinta suburbs St. Andria preached and that’s why Bichvinta Episcopal Cathedral is called “St. Andrea church”. Current domed church was constructed in the 10th-11th centuries. At the end of the 3th century and at the beginning of the 4th century Bichvinta became a significant religious center, as evidenced by bishop Stratofile’s participation in the first world church council in 325. For centuries in Bichvinta the religious center of western Georgia was located, which in the middle of the 16th century after invasion of mountaineers was moved to Gelati. In the 17th century Bichvinta church was abandoned and did not have any functions. In the 18th century the church was struck by lightning and was seriously damaged.
Bichvinta church represents the elongated cross-domed building by the plan, which in the west has narthexes and in the east – the 3 protruding apses. It should be noted that in Georgia narthex is rarely met, and protruding apses are characterized to the early period churches of Georgia, later, to the west Georgia, particularly, Black Sea Coast monuments(though we can find it in some places of east Georgia). The west arm is equipped with tripartite upper gallery, the dome is based on the walls of alters and two pillars. Bichvinta church is constructed with interchangeably formed flat bricks and horizontal stone rows. The church was painted inside, but in the second part of the 19th century it was totally plastered, repainted in white, that resulted in destruction of old frescos. So was the small grave with apses, built in the south-west corner of the narthex. Paintings preserved on its wall date from the second part of the 16th century. In the 1830s, by the order of Russian emperor the church was rehabilitated, was changed the shape of dome, was plastered and whitewashed the facades, after which the construction had changed its appearance and distorted. In the 1960s, by the recommendation of Giorgi Chubinashvili and by the leadership of Giorgi Tsintsadze was held restoration works in the church, plasters was removed, the roof was changed and the garden was arranged and was restored the original form of the church.
During the restoration works in the church interior was found a small fragments of old frescos. Around the church there are several buildings with different meaning, small churches, chapels, the settlement and economic buildings of the church.
Current condition: The territory is currently occupied by Russia, because of which is impossible to study and to conduct the according works. The main church needs a replacement of roof. The physical condition of construction inside the complex is very difficult.
Bitchvinta church has been given the status of national importance monument.
