Manglisi Sioni (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Manglisi Sioni (Georgian: მანგლისის სიონი) – The oldest monument of Georgian architecture, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Manglisi, has long been considered one of the most significant centers of the spread of the Christian faith in Georgia. In the 5th century, it had already become an episcopal center. In the 6th century, Manglisi Sioni was so famous that people from outside Georgia, in particular from Armenia, came to pray there. The first church, built in the middle of the 4th century, immediately after Christianity was declared the official religion in Georgia, was one of the oldest Christian buildings in the country. It has not survived. The current temple includes two building layers from the 5th and 11th centuries. In the 11th century, Manglisi Sioni was thoroughly rebuilt, decorated with carvings, and the walls of the temple were painted with frescoes.
Initially, the temple was built in the name of the Cross, since during its construction, parts of the holy cross were placed in it. Naturally, the main shrine of the Manglisi Sioni at that time was a part of the Life-giving Cross, namely, the stand on which Christ rested his feet at the moment of the crucifixion. Once upon a time, the walls of the temple were painted with magnificent frescoes, monuments of Georgian medieval painting. In the modern interior of the Manglisi Cathedral, only fragments of ancient paintings are presented. The remains of the painting are visible in the dome of the church. Over the centuries, the temple was repeatedly raided and plundered, although it is solidly built and has stood for many centuries. The entire architectural complex of the Manglisi Cathedral is surrounded by a stone fence, which has the highest degree of preservation.
Village of Manglisi (Georgian: სოფელი მანგლისი), Municipality of Tetritskaro (Georgian: თეთრიწყაროს მუნიციპალიტეტი)
