Mkheri is a small single nave church with a western annex, located in the village of Lashkhveri, in the Lenjeri community. The church was built in the 14th century, and its interior is adorned with murals from the same period. These paintings are a notable example of Paleologan-era wall painting in Svaneti.
The murals of Mkheri are among the rare cases where the identity of the master artist is known through documentation, thanks to an inscription preserved on the chancel screen (iconostasis), which—although now heavily damaged—is well documented in scholarly literature. The inscription reads:
"O Savior, intercede for David the painter."
In addition to the artist’s name, the identity of the patron who built and decorated the church is also known, due to portraits of the donor and his family inside the church and a lengthy inscription accompanying the main donor. The principal donor, Mikel Iveliani, is depicted holding a model of the church, together with his wife, on the north wall. The accompanying inscription states:
"I, Mikel Iveliani, built this church, painted it, adorned it with icons and crosses, for the glorification of God and the Archangel of Mkheri, and for the salvation of my soul. Have mercy on me, O Lord."
On the opposite, southern wall, Mikel’s son and his wife are depicted. Their explanatory inscriptions are now highly fragmented, though the name of Mikel’s daughter-in-law, Nateli, remains legible.
It’s worth noting that members of the Iveliani family are mentioned in several historical documents from Svaneti, and their period of activity is dated to the mid-14th century. The dating is further supported by the style and iconographic features of the murals.
Besides the main artist, David the painter, who executed the sanctuary, chancel screen, and longitudinal walls (including the lower register of the west wall), scholars have also identified the hand of a second master in the church's decoration. This second artist is responsible for the painting of the vault (ceiling) and the upper register scene on the west wall.
Useful information
| Location | The church is located in the outskirts of village Lashtkhveri |
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| key Holder | The Key is kept at Father Basil\'s (Philphani) family |
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