Tsughrughasheni Church

Tsughrughasheni (Georgian: წუღრუღაშენის ეკლესია) is a Georgian Orthodox church in the Bolnisi District, Georgia. It is situated approximately 2 kilometres from Bolnisi Sioni basilica, on the right bank of the Bolnisistsqali River. The church was built in 1212–1222 supposedly by King George IV Lasha of the Bagrationi Dynasty.

Tsughrughasheni Church წუღრუღაშენის ეკლესია
Tsughrughasheni church and fortification wall.
Religion
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
District	Bolnisi District
Region	Caucasus
Status	Active
Location
Location	Located approximately 2 km from Bolnisi Sioni Basilica, Bolnisi District, Kvemo Kartli Province (Mkhare),  Georgia
Shown within Georgia
Geographic coordinates	41.3803°N 44.5294°E
Architecture
Type	Georgian; Church
Founder	King George IV Lasha of the Bagrationi Dynasty
Funded by	King George IV Lasha of the Bagrationi Dynasty
Groundbreaking	1212
Completed	1222

The Tsughrughasheni church resembles stylistically the other Georgian churches from the 12th–13th centuries – Betania, Kvatakhevi, Pitareti – but it is smaller than those and has a higher cupola. The plan of the church is right-angled. The church is rich with the Georgian traditional ornaments adorned.

Gallery

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  Church gate
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  Tsughrughasheni Church
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  Exterior detail of the drum.
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  Window on the southern exterior facade.
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  Windows on the western exterior facade.
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  Inscription on the western exterior facade.
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  Interior of the drum.

Bibliography

• Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia, P. Zakaraia, XI, p. 351, Tbilisi, 1987