The 11th-century Bagrati Cathedral is one of Georgia's most instantly recognizable national monuments. It has recently been the subject of some controversy because radical restoration work could jeopardize its coveted status as an official UNESCO World Heritage site.
Georgia's Bagrati Cathedral
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Located in the country's second city, Kutaisi, and named after a medieval Georgian king, the ancient Bagrati Cathedral is one of Georgia's most potent national symbols.
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Such is the symbolic significance of Bagrati Cathedral, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) arranged a special ceremony there to bless him as head of state after his inauguration in 2008.
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The cathedral had effectively been in ruins before the latest restoration work began in 2009.
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The monument is currently cloaked in scaffolding as controversial restoration work is carried out.
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An artist's impression of how the cathedral is supposed to look once a controversial restoration is completed, based on the work of architect Ivane Gremelashvili.