Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - Burials in The Cathedral

Burials in The Cathedral

• Tomb of Erekle II in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

• Tomb of Vakhtang Gorgasali in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

• Bilingual epitaph for Tamar, the first wife of George XI

Svetitskhoveli was not only the site of the coronation of the Georgian kings but also served as their burial place. Ten are known to have been buried here, although only six tombs have been found, all before the altar. The tomb of King Vakhtang Gorgasali can be identified by his the small candle fortress standing before it. King Erekle II's tomb is identifiable by the sword and shield upon it. His son, George XII was the last king of Georgia and his marble tomb is next to his father's. Also in front of the altar are tombs of David VI, George VIII, Luarsab I and various members of the Bagrationi royal family including Tamar, the first wife of George XI, whose epitaph dating from 1684 is written both in Georgian (Asomtavruli) and Arabic script.