The Tsamebuli church stands in Maghraani village in Akhmeta Municipality. The hall is very small, about five metres by three, laid of rubble on mortar, with a shelf like cornice ringing the walls and a tiled roof.
The entrance is made on the north, which is unusual for Georgian churches, and the door is raised by a step, arched in form and faced with brick. The west and east walls each hold one arched window. The semicircular apse is separated by side walls with an arch thrown across them, small rectangular niches flank its window with a trapezoidal one below, further niches are made in the side walls, and the hall is covered by a vault.
The main thing is inside: the murals survive. The conch is set out in three registers, with a Deesis in the first, the apostles in the second and the Dormition with the Fathers of the Church in the third. The Transfiguration is painted on the south wall. The west wall is divided into two registers: the Presentation at the Temple above and donors in royal robes below. The faces and inscriptions are damaged, so it is not yet possible to say who exactly is shown. Sources assign the church to the 16th century.
💡 Tip
- Murals of the conch in three registers, from the Deesis to the Dormition
- Donors in royal robes on the west wall
- An entrance on the north, unusual for Georgian churches
🚗 Getting there
- Maghraani village, Akhmeta Municipality, Kakheti
- The Build Route button will take you to the spot
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