Sioni of Dmanisi (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Dmanisi Sioni (Georgian: დმანისის სიონი) – The Dmanisi Cathedral of the Virgin Mary is located in the center of the ruins of the ancient city. It is one of the most important examples of a three-aisled basilica. Based on archaeological data and the Georgian inscription “Asomtavruli” carved on two squares of red tuff embedded in the wall, it is assumed that the new, current main building of Dmanisi Sioni was built in the 9th century on the site of an older church from the VI century. In the first half of the XIII century, the temple was apparently restored again, and some parts of the interior were re-decorated with frescoes. One of the seven Sioni churches in Georgia, it is built of cobblestones and covered with a barrel vault. From the outside, the building looks like a real three-aisled basilica. It should be noted that only the central nave has been preserved in its original form, while the side parts have been significantly modified.
Later, a richly decorated door was added to the western side of the temple. Fragments of paintings have been preserved in the interior, which are distinguished by their monumentality, exquisite style of painting and high artistic level. Among them, the badly damaged images of apostles and saints, the Holy Face of the Savior and prophets in the altar apse stand out. In the center there is a cross on a pedestal, almost as tall as a man. Historical sources report that the king of Georgia Vakhtang III is buried in the temple. To the southeast of the temple is a bell tower dating back to the late Middle Ages and repeatedly rebuilt. A stone staircase connects the bell tower with the eastern wall of the temple. Stones with Georgian and Arabic inscriptions are inserted into the walls. Dmanisi Sioni and other adjacent buildings were included in the list of immovable cultural monuments of national significance
Patara Dmanisi village (Georgian: სოფელი პატარა დმანისი), Municipality of Dmanisi (Georgian: დმანისის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
