Kashveti Church of St George

Kashveti stands in the middle of Rustaveli Avenue, directly opposite the Parliament building — a white, lace-carved church that thousands pass daily, few knowing the story behind its name.

Legend has it that in the 6th century the monk David of Gareja was slandered: a Tbilisi woman accused him of fathering her child. The monk declared she would give birth to a stone — and so she did. Hence "Kashveti", from the Georgian kva (stone) and shva (gave birth). Churches have replaced one another on this spot for centuries; the present building went up in 1904–1910 to a design by architect Leopold Bilfeldt, closely modelled on the 11th-century Samtavisi Cathedral.

Worth your attention:

• The stone carving of the facade — the Samtavisi school carried into the 20th century
• The altar fresco painted by Lado Gudiashvili in 1947 — decorating a church cost the artist dearly in Soviet times
• A quiet courtyard two steps from the avenue's noise

The church is active, with regular services. The 9 April Park and the National Museum are next door, so it slots naturally into any Rustaveli walk.