• Chvabiani Church of Taringzeli (Church of the Holy Archangels)

Chvabiani Church of Taringzeli (Church of the Holy Archangels)

This small single nave church, with a western annex and a peculiar architectural decoration of the eastern façade, is located in the village of Chvabiani, in the Mulakhi community of Upper Svaneti. The church is dated to the 10th century or possibly to the late 10th – early 11th centuries. The interior preserves murals from the second half of the 12th century.

The wall paintings belong to the artistic circle of Mikel Maghlakeli and represent an interesting mural decoration of this epoch. Despite the poor state of preservation, the church's artistic value is evident, particularly through the use of unusual iconographic versions of traditional scenes, for example, the Transfiguration is depicted without the figures of the Apostles, a feature that is also seen in some ensembles of Upper Svaneti of later date.

Another notable aspect is that this church provides one of the earliest known examples in Svaneti wall painting where pilasters are not entirely covered with ornamental decoration, but instead feature figures - in this case, half-figures - painted directly onto their surfaces.


Useful information

Location The church is located in the center of the village

Intangible cultural heritage

“Maya Kaldani Hotel”, Chvabiani village

Maya Kaldani practices the traditional Svanetian hat making and conducts master classes for tourists, during which she shows the entire process. It lasts up to two hours. This is held in her own hotel. She has set up a demonstration ethnographic corner in her own Machubi. She also conducts culinary master classes.

Telman Gigani - Chvabiani village, Mulakhi community

Telman Gigani is a wood craftsman. He mostly makes furniture (makhvshi chair, lergim, chest), and works on church orders (doors, tamplon, etc.). He has pedagogical experience, taught artistic woodworking at the Muzhali school and has apprentices. He has no experience working with tourists so far, but in the future he plans to employ students and produce souvenirs. He is preparing a space at home - a veranda, which will be decorated with handmade elements and where he will exhibit old furniture, his own products and receive tourists interested in learning wood carving.