This is a large single nave church with an ambulatory on two sides (south and west), located above the village of Zhibiani in the Ushguli community. Built in the 10th century, the church stands out for its architectural form and the decoration of its eastern façade. The interior is adorned with murals from different periods—the first layer dates back to the 10th century, while the second layer (including the interior of the ambulatory) belongs to the 13th century.
The first layer of murals in Zhibiani is among the most important examples of early Svanetian wall painting. Notably, in addition to the murals that once fully decorated the interior, a lower layer of contemporary chancel (chancel screen) painting has also survived—one of the earliest examples of chancel decoration in Svaneti.
Similar to the chancel painting, the church’s original murals have reached us in a heavily damaged and fragmentary state. Nonetheless, the preserved portions provide valuable insight into the creative explorations and artistic objectives of early Svanetian painters. Especially noteworthy are the expressiveness of the figures, their emotional impact, the generally vibrant color palette, and the decorative quality typical of the period—evident, for instance, in the way “pearls” adorn not only the halos but also the cross on which Christ is crucified.
The second layer of murals is also severely damaged, but in the relatively better-preserved parts (particularly in the sanctuary), one can still discern artistic qualities—such as the distinctive style of depicting faces and clothing, and the spiritualized expressions of the figures.
The decoration of the ambulatory is especially significant because it represents the only example in Upper Svaneti where the entire space of an ambulatory is covered with painted decoration. Moreover, it features only a single theme: the Last Judgment. It is important to emphasize that depictions of Judgment Day are extremely rare in Svaneti. However, in the case of Zhibiani, judging by the surviving fragments, the painting likely included an elaborate and extended iconographic version of the Last Judgment.
Useful information
| Location | The church is located at the outskirts of the village Zhibiani set on the hill, dominating over Ushguli settlement. |
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| The Key Holder | The Church is open during the day-time |
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