Sioni of Bolnissi (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Bolnisi Sioni (Georgian: ბოლნისის სიონი) – One of the oldest and largest three-aisled basilicas among Georgian Christian religious buildings. With its architecture, ornaments and relief sculptures, it is one of the most distinctive monuments in Georgia. The Bolnisi Cathedral of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built between 478 and 493, during the era of Georgia’s political and cultural heyday. The name Sioni came to Georgia from Palestine, and churches with a similar name can be found in several places in the country. The building, constructed of well-polished greenish squares, bears many features characteristic of Georgian church architecture of the early feudal period, and is distinguished by its strict monumentality. The interior decoration of the temple, executed with exquisite proportions and thoughtful distribution of decorations, leaves a magnificent impression.
Bolnisi Sioni clearly demonstrates the kinship of the Georgian basilica style with the basilicas of other countries of the Christian world, but also emphasizes its pronounced national characteristics. This is the first monument in Georgia decorated with bas-reliefs and carvings. The stone carving is executed with the highest skill. The temple often features images of the main Christian symbol – the cross – of various shapes and sizes. The cross with ends widened inside the circle, known as the Bolnisi (Bonnuri) cross (Georgian: ბოლნური ჯვარი), is currently used in Georgian national symbols. The inscriptions preserved on the walls of the Sioni Cathedral are a monument to Georgian writing and, in fact, the oldest example after the Georgian inscriptions of Palestine. The temple, destroyed and restored many times, still stands guard over the Orthodox faith.
Kvemo Bolnisi village (Georgian: სოფელი ქვემო ბოლნისი), Municipality of Bolnisi (Georgian: ბოლნისის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
