Dranda Cathedral
Dranda Cathedral (Abkhaz: Нанҳәа иазку Дранда-ныха, Georgian: დრანდის ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox Cathedral located in Dranda, in the Gulripshi District of the de facto independent Republic of Abkhazia, internationally recognised to constitute a part of Georgia.
| Dranda Cathedral Нанҳәа иазку Дранда-ныха დრანდის ტაძარი | |
|---|---|
Dranda Cathedral | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Georgian Orthodox |
| Province | Abkhazia |
| Location | |
| Location | Dranda, Gulripshi District, Abkhazia, Georgia |
Shown within Abkhazia Dranda Cathedral (Georgia) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 42°52′27″N 41°09′44″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Radial |
| Style | Byzantine, Georgian; Cathedral |
| Founder | Possibly Justinian I |
| Groundbreaking | Possibly early-mid 6th century. |
| Completed | Possibly 551 |
According to the Roman historian Procopius of Caesarea, in 551 emperor Justinian I built a temple in these environs; this is believed by some to have been what is now the cathedral in Dranda. In the Georgian Orthodox Catholicate of Abkhazia, Dranda was the seat of a bishop.
There has been some restoration on the exterior walls of the structure and roof, covering with stucco much of the original brick architecture that was once visible. Small portions may still be seen in what was intentionally left untouched.