Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the dynamic-content-for-elementor domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/chvsrweb00/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114
Ateni Sioni Church - VisitSilkRoad
pin_georgia

Visit Guide to Ateni Sioni Church

Ateni Sioni is an early 7th-century Georgian Orthodox church located in Ateni, Georgia. The name “Sioni” derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem. Its frescoes are one of the best examples of the Georgian painting.

Getting There

It takes about 2 hours of driving to arrive from Tbilisi to the destination. You can hire a private car, taxi, minivan, or use public transportation to get there.

What to Expect

The temple was built in the VII century, and it was modeled on Mtskheta Jvari Monastery (UNESCO heritage site.)

The attraction is known for its unique architecture, immersed in a captivating nature. Its walls are decorated with traditional ornaments, ancient scripts, and fascinating frescoes.

History

The Ateni Sioni Church, located in Ateni village, Georgia, is an early 7th-century Georgian Orthodox church known for its historical significance and picturesque surroundings. The tetraconch-style church features remarkable frescoes, showcasing the finest examples of Georgian painting. Its architecture includes a domed tetraconch design with four apses and niches, adorned with ornate reliefs and decorative elements.

The church’s facades exhibit a combination of original reddish-colored ashlar and restored carved rectangular greenish-gray stones. The reliefs depict scenes such as a deer hunting scene on the western facade and two deer drinking from a rounded pool on the northern entrance tympanum. The church’s design is reminiscent of the Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta, suggesting a connection between the two structures.

While the exact date of construction is unknown, the Ateni Sioni Church is believed to belong to the “Jvari-type” group of churches and is attributed to the builder or renovator Todosak, as mentioned in an Armenian inscription on the southern facade.