Pitsunda Cathedral
105 reviews
November 28, 2024
The Pitsunda Temple, also known as the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Andrew the First–Called, rises within the Great Pitiunt State Reserve, founded in 1991 to preserve the cultural heritage of Abkhazia. The history of the temple goes back to the IV century, when the first ancient Christian basilica was built on the site of the Roman settlement of Pitiunt.
Inside the cathedral, in its western part, there is a tomb, in which there are two tombs arranged for the apostles Andrew the First-Called and Simon the Canaanite, as evidenced by the frescoes of the two apostles inside the tomb.
The temple building has excellent acoustic properties. Thanks to this, an organ concert hall was opened here in 1975.
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December 2, 2024
An incredibly atmospheric place. Entrance is paid, you can take a guided tour. There is a souvenir shop at the entrance on the right. There are no services in the temple itself, but there is a huge organ there and various concerts are often given. Luca Gadelia (organ) and his wife Kristina Eshba (soprano) were especially fond of. An incredible duo! We went several times and we will definitely go again!
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July 20, 2024
We touched historical sites in July 2023. Incredible sound in this cathedral, we were at the rehearsal of an organ concert...Fascinating! Especially when Scorpions sounds. Delight!
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June 23, 2024
A majestic and beautiful building that has been preserved for many centuries, and has now been restored. Inside there is a delightfully painted dome, wonderful acoustics. This is probably why there is a large organ in this place and organ concerts are held. There is a museum nearby.
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July 12, 2024
A beautiful and interesting place. I recommend going to an organ concert. But it's pretty stuffy inside. So it's better to stock up on a fan for the concert)
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July 24, 2023
The temple is not functioning, if I understood correctly. It became a concert hall. Like many tourists, they attended a concert with organ music, opera singing and a wonderful presenter. I don't understand opera singing, but we got to the beat, the sounds of the voice are pleasant and the girl behaves beautifully. The organ was straddled by Luca Gadelia. A healthy mannered man. But he did it very well. And the presenter is just a balm for the soul and ears. How she filled in the pauses and presented the following performances - you can listen)))) even some kind of advertisement from her mouth is like an enveloping heavenly delight)
But tourists have a huge request, if you get sick, stay at home!!! Do not spoil the impression of the evening and infect others!!!
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November 18, 2024
It's a beautiful place. It works as a museum (entrance is paid) I advise you to go around the building after the inspection and enter the working chapel. There you can put candles, drink holy water and order a prayer service.
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October 8, 2024
The guide told me very interestingly, the organ with a good sound and the cathedral with excellent acoustics
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July 25, 2024
The magnificent sound of the organ and the opera singer. An interesting program and a guide at the museum.
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June 15, 2024
We listened to the organ performed by Luca Gadelia. Bravo! An amazing musician, a great improviser. I recommend visiting the cathedral and listening to the musician. You will not be disappointed. Tourists from St. Petersburg.
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August 7, 2023
I've been to the cathedral several times (I also remember free admission). The cathedral leaves a great impression. Ancient walls, paintings. You can wander around the cathedral (realizing that it is a Temple). For lovers of history and architecture, note for yourself the features of the X century building. If you are lucky, you can get to a concert or a rehearsal of organ music in the cathedral and enjoy the richness of acoustics.
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September 6, 2023
An amazing place. Beautiful and ancient. It's a good museum. We went to the temple for a concert of organ music. I really liked it. There was an excursion before the concert. Small, but informative.
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June 16, 2024
It's an amazing place, we attended an organ music concert, it's very atmospheric, the performers are on top
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May 13, 2024
A significant place where you can touch the antiquity. We got to the rehearsal of organ music, for the first time in my life I heard how the organ sounds. That's great!!!
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August 8, 2024
I listened to the organ there... The temple is impressive, especially the frescoes and the image of Jesus Christ in the dome of the temple.
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July 2, 2024
We visited the territory of the fortress, the temple , the museum at first for informational purposes, it was interesting to get acquainted with the history.
They also came to the temple for an organ concert - an unforgettable experience. Such an event is definitely worth visiting at least once in your life.
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August 27, 2023
An extraordinary place that you want to come back to again and again. The Roman masonry of the temple, the chapel, the remains of the painting, divine acoustics, a brass organ, the virtuoso playing of maestro Luca Gadelia and the voice of Christina Eshba...Thank you to everyone involved for saving and sharing this miracle with us!
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August 5, 2024
It is a very interesting place, you need to go with an excursion to understand the epochs, rulers and the history of the temple as a whole.
It is sad that in such historical places it is not desirable to touch with your hands, so these Petya, Vasya, Svety scratched everything... Monkeys, no other way✌
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September 5, 2023
I advise everyone to visit this cathedral. The organ sounds especially grandiose in its walls - just goosebumps. There is also a small free lecture from a museum employee.
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January 24, 2022
In the center of the city stands the well—preserved majestic Pitsunda Cathedral, the largest early medieval temple in Abkhazia, built in the 10th century. Since its construction, it has become the cathedral church of the Abkhazian Catholicosate. He remained so until the 16th century, when Christian culture left Abkhazia. In 1975, it underwent another renovation and turned into a concert hall, a German organ was installed near the altar. Those who happened to visit Pitsunda in the 1980s well remember the concerts and alcoholic beverages that were served in the temple. Since then, nothing has changed in principle. The temple is located on the territory of the museum complex, for this reason it is paid
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September 11, 2022
It's an amazing place. It may be active, But it is very ancient. Just imagine a structure built in the Byzantine style of the 10th century, that it is the largest cathedral in the entire territory adjacent to the sea. The museum of local lore is located on the territory. There is also an organ inside the cathedral itself. We were at a concert. The sound is amazing. Many thanks to the concert organizers and personally to the musicians and performers - Luca Gadelia (organist) and Kristina Eshba (soprano).
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May 15, 2024
It is beautiful, everything is in good condition, interesting excursions. You can listen to the organ.
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August 2, 2024
A great place to listen to an organ concert
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December 16, 2023
It's a pity that I couldn't listen to the organ! I think that you should definitely include at least a short recording in the tour, the acoustics there are great! It wasn't the first time, I listened earlier
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June 28, 2024
Very gorgeous organ concerts, frescoes, arias from operas!
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July 25, 2024
Very beautiful organ concertos
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July 21, 2023
The ancient temple is very beautiful. It is a pity that there are no services in it, as it should be. Organ concerts should be in the concert hall.
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June 17, 2023
We visited with our family and took an entrance ticket for the May holidays. We listened to the organ, then the guide told us what came from where, then we looked at the exhibits. Like everything ancient in Abkhazia, it is worth visiting.
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September 11, 2023
I really liked the guide. You will not often listen with interest to stories that are not interesting to you. The organ music concert is generously flavored with performances by local vocal and instrumental stars. Surprisingly quite professional. In general, I recommend you to visit.
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August 13, 2022
Very interesting. The program includes a sightseeing tour, a concert. If you're lucky, you'll hear Hibla Gerzmava herself or the world music stars she invited. There is a museum of local lore, a dolmen, boxwood, berry yews on the territory.
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October 21, 2024
An interesting cathedral, with a huge organ
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December 26, 2021
We were at the organ concert of Luke Gadelia, Christina Eshba sang. It was magical. It is difficult to surprise with classical organ works, yes, it is beautiful. But, the music from the movie 17 moments of Spring, Queen is fantastic!!! The temple breathes antiquity. Be sure to visit the museum at the temple
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August 4, 2024
There is an organ inside, the acoustics are crazy
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July 9, 2021
We were on a small excursion before the organ music concert. I want to express my gratitude. I'm thrilled, we had a great time. Thank you for the interesting story of Abkhazia, thank you Luke for the performance. I have long dreamed of hearing an organ.
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December 12, 2022
A great and atmospheric place. Organ music concerts taking place in the cathedral are especially worth noting.
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September 3, 2021
An ancient temple, which houses a functioning organ, a wonderful museum, a functioning church, and courteous staff. Here you really immerse yourself in the distant, heroic past of this beautiful country. I advise everyone who is vacationing in Pitsunda to visit this complex.
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March 2, 2023
An interesting tour of the historical museum and a fantastic concert of organ music
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September 11, 2021
Be sure to visit every time you come to Abkhazia! An atmospheric place. It is especially worth mentioning people who give unforgettable emotions.. There is a concert of organ and vocal music in the temple. I was lucky to hear and feel the work of Luca Gadelia, Aldona Tskua and Astanda Dzhikirba. Bravo!!!
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September 12, 2021
It is a very beautiful cathedral. This place is a must-visit if it's your first time in Pitsunda. And if you are already in Pitsunda as a local and have not been there yet, then run there as soon as possible! At the entrance on the left there is a very valuable Yew berry tree, it is also a Mahogany tree, on the right behind the souvenir shop there is a dalmen (burial place or tomb, whatever you want to call it)
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December 15, 2021
When I come to Abkhazia on vacation, I always try to visit this place. There is an Organ Music Concert Hall in the oldest cathedral of the 10th century. There is also a historical museum on site.
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September 24, 2021
A holy place. I always attend organ music concerts on vacation in Pitsunda. Luca Gadelia is especially admired! The highest skill! The talent is recognized all over the world!
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July 7, 2021
Very majestic, in good condition for an architectural monument. Well-maintained territory. Organ music concerts are held in the temple on certain days. They're great.
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August 7, 2023
The temple fascinates with its architecture, I advise everyone to listen to the organ in this temple
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February 10, 2022
It is a beautiful and very atmospheric place, it is definitely worth going. The price is small for such an excursion. There are days with organ music
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May 29, 2021
Strongly and with sound. Entrance to the complex is paid - 200 rubles for an adult. Parking is free.
For this money, you get a visit not only to the temple with an active organ, but also to the adjacent territories, a museum, a basilica, and you can also listen to the fascinating story of the guide, you can ask about the time of excursions in the room to the left of the entrance, where the guide sits. There is a boxwood tree behind the temple, and an ancient mahogany tree to the left of the entrance. Also near the basilica, there is a chapel where you can put candles. And in the shop where you buy them, you can find local silverware at affordable prices, and also leave a donation for the maintenance of the temple.
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July 12, 2022
The cathedral now has a concert hall. The face of Jesus Christ looks down from the dome at the bacchanal...there is no other way to call it. They desecrated the holy place, put up an organ, sandblasted the frescoes and plaster to the brick to enhance the sound.... Sadly
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July 11, 2023
It is large and spacious. We listened to the organ inside. It's wonderful. I can't believe he's so old..
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November 30, 2021
The Christian cathedral was originally built around the 4th century. It was rebuilt many times later. In 1975, an organ was built by German craftsmen, and concerts are now taking place there. Entrance is paid. Nearby are the ruins of an even more ancient temple. It's interesting to watch for older people. The music is wonderful. It is not of interest to young people.
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November 17, 2023
Very atmospheric and beautiful!
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July 1, 2021
Apart from this cathedral, there were no sights in Pitsunda. An interesting structure, the guide told us about the history of the cathedral in a fascinating way. An impressive organ.
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