Ishkani (İşhan) Church The Ishkani Church is located in the charming Işhan village, overlooking the breathtaking Çoruh (Chorokhi) River valley. Historically, this village was part of the medieval Georgian Kingdom’s Tao region. Serving as a prominent religious center, Ishkani Church remained significant until the Ottoman administration assumed control of the area in the 16th to 17th centuries. Today, the site includes the ruins of a large domed church and a smaller hall chapel, alongside several other churches and structures recently uncovered through archaeological digs. The chapel’s entrance features a Georgian inscription stating it was dedicated to the Holy Mother of God by King Gurgen I, who died in 1008. The primary structure is a vast cross-domed church measuring 36.60 meters long and 19 meters wide at the crossing. The western arm extends 15 meters in length and 9 meters in width, with an overall height of about 35 meters. The dome stands 11.4 meters tall with a diameter of 7.86 meters. The exterior walls are made from smoothly cut stones, while the tall, conical roof is decorated with dark red and green tiles. After restoration, the church’s four arms were covered with stone slabs that were similarly adorned with tiles. The Church of Ishkani boasts an unusual plan that resulted from several reconstructions over time. Its eastern side features a raised apse, surrounded by open exedrae, which is covered in decorative elements. The vaulted apse showcases an open exedra, and a horseshoe-shaped arcade rests on eight monoliths adorned with cubic capitals. A rectangular ambulatory frames this space, while a corridor with openings on the side leads to two chambers. The adjoining rooms are taller and have double arched windows that face inward into the open center of the church. The church was once richly decorated with frescoes, though most of them have faded except for those on the dome, which remain largely intact. The chapel’s dome is adorned with lapis lazurite illustrating the Ascension of the Cross. Depicted are four angels carrying the cross aloft in the sky. Surrounding them on each side are four two-wheeled chariots pulled by four winged horses, each driven by a standing figure. Above each chariot, a Georgian inscription describes the colors of the horses. Scholars generally interpret this imagery as representing the "Vision of Zachariah" from the Old Testament, where Zachariah saw four horses in red, black, white, and gold with their riders. Around the drum’s eight windows, eight busts are positioned on arches, with the adjacent blind arcade alternating between these figures and the windows below. On the south side, opposite the main church, stands a chapel with simple facades, constructed in 1003 according to Armenian inscriptions. This smaller chapel contains frescoes, including a depiction of a communion scene on the apse wall and an image of Christ Pantocrator within the conch. During the restoration work at the Ishkhani monastery, several chapels and churches were revealed, including a large basilica, two hall churches, and various monastic structures. Numerous burials were also found, primarily dating back to the medieval era and the Russian-Turkish war. Under Turkish administration, a mosque was established within the western wing of the church. Sadly, the church is currently closed to visitors. Ishkhani stands as a remarkable symbol of Georgian history and culture, featuring elaborate decorations, captivating architecture, and richly painted murals. It is a heritage site that truly merits recognition as one of the world’s most important landmarks. For any questions or further information, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.