Bolnisi Sioni

ბოლნისის სიონი

The oldest surviving basilica in Georgia, dating to the late 5th century, and home to the earliest known inscriptions in the Georgian alphabet. This atmospheric church is a cornerstone of Georgian Christian and cultural heritage.

Things to do

• Admire the three-nave basilica — Explore Georgia's oldest surviving church, built between 478 and 493 AD, with its distinctive stone construction and horseshoe-shaped arches.
• Find the Bolnisi inscriptions — Look for the carved Asomtavruli script on the church walls, among the earliest dated examples of the Georgian alphabet in existence.
• Examine the Bolnisi cross reliefs — Study the carved equal-armed 'Bolnisi crosses' on the facade, an ancient Christian symbol that later inspired elements of Georgia's national flag.
• Walk the churchyard and belltower — Wander the atmospheric grounds with its later medieval bell tower and ancient tombstones surrounding the basilica.
• View the ornamental stone capitals — Notice the finely carved column capitals depicting animals, birds and vine motifs inside the columned interior.
• Visit the nearby Bolnisi town museum — Learn about the region's German settler history and archaeology in the small town of Bolnisi a short drive away.

Food to try

• Khinkali — Kartli-style soup dumplings filled with spiced meat, best eaten by hand while sipping the broth first.
• Bolnisi wine — Sample local Kvemo Kartli reds, as the area's German settlers historically developed vineyards around Bolnisi.
• Mtsvadi — Georgian shashlik grilled over grapevine embers, often served with tkemali plum sauce at roadside eateries.
• Shoti bread — Canoe-shaped bread baked fresh on the walls of a clay tone oven, ideal warm with local cheese.
• Lobio with mchadi — Hearty stewed beans seasoned with herbs, served alongside cornmeal bread as a filling rural staple.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly — Cover shoulders and knees to enter the church; women may be offered a headscarf and men should remove hats.
• Respect the ancient inscriptions — Do not touch or trace the carved Georgian script, as these are irreplaceable early-medieval treasures.
• Combine with Dmanisi — The archaeological site of Dmanisi, famous for early hominid fossils, lies within driving distance for a fuller Kvemo Kartli day trip.
• Have your own transport — Bolnisi is off the main tourist routes, so a car or hired driver from Tbilisi makes visiting far easier than public transport.

Nearby

• Birtvisi Fortress — 19 km
• Dmanisi — 21 km
• Tbilisi National Botanical Garden (Tbilisi and Surroundings) — 34 km
• Narikala Fortress (Tbilisi and Surroundings) — 35 km