Tsminda Sameba

This is the Hergetian Trinity Church of the 14th century - the same cross-domed church that flaunts itself on half of Georgian postcards. It stands alone on a slope at the foot of Kazbek, so people go here not so much to pray as for the view.

At 2170 meters above sea level, near the village of Gergeti above the village of Stepantsminda. It's already a little harder to breathe than down below, but there is still a long way to high-altitude feats.

Starting point - Stepantsminda on the Military-Georgian road. From there, either walk up the path (the climb is noticeable), or take a four-wheel drive car or a local jeep-transfer - an ordinary Serpentine passenger car is unlikely to be able to do it.

Kazbek itself, if the clouds have mercy, plus the valley of Terek and Stepantsminda below. Nearby, a medieval bell tower has survived - the only cross-domed church in the entire Hevi region.

No. Tbilisi has its own huge modern Tsminda Sameba Cathedral, consecrated in 2004. Hergetiyska is old, small and high in the mountains. The name is the same, but the places are completely different.