Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was built in the 11th century in the town of Mtskheta in western Georgia. The name of the temple means literally "the Living Pillar Cathedral" and refers to the legend associated with the origin of the church. According to the legend, the cathedral was built in the very place where on tomb of St. Sidonia grew a wonderful cedar. Thanks to the prayers of St. Nino, who set the place to build the temple, the tree was lifted up, which made the construction possible, and a pillar that gives life-giving liquid was made of its trunk. For centuries, the cathedral was the place of the coronation and burial of the kings of Georgia and the seat of the highest dignitaries of the Georgian church. In the 18th century, due to its importance as a major religious and national symbol, it was surrounded by a high defensive wall with eight towers.
