Construction ran from 1010 to 1029 under King George I. Catholicos Melchizedek I invited the architect Arsukisdze. A 4th-century church stood here under King Mirian III, and a 5th-century basilica attributed to Vakhtang Gorgasali was found during the 1970 to 1971 restoration.
The cathedral is a cross-in-square design, 189 feet (57.7 m) long, 89 feet (27 m) wide and 161 feet (49 m) high, built of stone. The current dome dates from the 15th century, and its upper part was rebuilt in the 17th century at a reduced height. Tamerlane's destruction was followed by reconstruction at the end of the 14th century.
The interior was once fully frescoed, and Russian authorities whitewashed many frescoes in the 1830s. About ten kings are reportedly buried here, but only six tombs have been found. The article gives one passage on the Holy Sepulchre replica chapel as late 13th century and another as 17th century. UNESCO listed it in 1994.
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