Kumurdo, Cathedral of the Virgin

The church was built as a cathedral of an old eparchy of Kumurdo in 964 by architect Sakotsari. It was commissioned by Bishop Ioane of Kumurdo during the reign of King Leon III of Abkhazia. The structure was probably renovated by Bishop Zosime of Kumurdo in the first half of the eleventh century under King Bagrat IV and Queen Mariam. The church was renovated again in the 16^th century by patron Elisabed and her family under Bishop Zosime II of Kumurdo. The church is interesting by its architecture, sculpted décor, multilayer painting and numerous lapidary inscriptions. The monastery was one of the most important education centers of the country for many centuries.