Pitsunda temple of the 10th century stands out for its powerful forms and grandiose size (length - 39 m, width - 25 m, height with dome - 29 m, thickness of walls 1.5 metres!) and belongs to the best monuments of Abkhazian medieval architecture. Repeated restorations broke the ancient appearance of the building, but could not destroy the grandeur and severity of its outlines. In the south-western part of the narthex the painting of the XV century has been preserved. In the drum of the dome between the high windows there were images of 12 apostles, 10 of them are partially preserved. The full image of Christ and the apostles in the dome were renewed during the restoration of the church in 1860. From 1875 to 1917 the temple was a sub-church of the New Athos Monastery.
The building has excellent acoustic properties. This peculiarity allowed to open an organ concert hall here in 1975, where to this day weekly concerts are held. The music of Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and Schubert can be heard under the ancient vaults. The best musicians of the world take part in annual festivals.
