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The arem of Arsukidze, the architect who rebuilt Svetitskhoveli in the early 1000s. The relief on the north façade shows a right hand holding a builder's square. The inscription beside it reads roughly "The hand of Arsukidze, servant of God, may he be forgiven."
The famous legend says his master, the royal architect, was jealous of how beautiful the cathedral turned out. Some versions say the king himself didn't want anything finer built anywhere else. Either way, Arsukidze's right hand was cut off, and the carving is his memorial.
September 17, 2026 12:37 PM
XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 at 300 mm
1/250 s
f/5.6