While some of the roof has fallen, the dome still stands because it is supported by four huge pillars.
There are gaping holes in the ceiling where the roof has fallen.
One of the four huge pillars supporting the huge dome. This cathedral is massive and back in its glory days, there was a thriving community here. There's scripture transcribing, lots of priests and there must be a huge Georgian community here. This area is known by its old Georgian name, 'Tao-Klarjeti.' It is still impressive, sitting proudly amid Turkish villages and with a mosque next to it. It sticks out like a sore thumb.
Along one side of the front is an arcade area that leads nowhere, its called ' a blind arcade.' Here there are pillars with angels carved on its capitals, different angels on different pillars. There was a fire and everything is blackened by the fire but the carvings are still evident.
Turkey is an amazing place. After two trips to Turkey, I've seen the remains of the Byzantine empire, the remains of part of the Georgian kingdom and the remains of part of the Armenian kingdom. A lot of places in the west coast of Turkey is associated with St Paul, one of Christianity's important saint. There are other places where churches and monasteries can be found and they are the objects of my desire.
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