Khevi is a small historic province located in the upper reaches of the Terek River, in the mountainous northernmost part of eastern Georgia. Today, it forms the Kazbegi Municipality. In the tenth century, Khevi experienced a surge in construction activity.
One of the most important churches built during this period stands on the edge of the village of Sioni, 10 km southwest of Stepantsminda, the administrative center of the municipality.
Sioni Church viewed from the south-east
Sioni Church is constructed of roughly hewn stone blocks. It is a basilica with a slightly elongated plan. The nave is separated from the aisles by two pairs of massive piers supporting arches of different spans—the central arches being noticeably wider than those on the sides. Both the nave and the aisles are covered with barrel vaults. Originally, the church had two entrances, from the south and the north; the southern doorway was later walled up.
Northern façade
The sanctuary apse is flanked by pastophoria—small rectangular chambers located at the eastern ends of the aisles. A built-in seat is integrated into the masonry of the apse wall. To the left of this seat, the sanctuary contains an unusual feature: a tall, round column topped with a stone frame for an icon, now lost. An icon placed at such a height would have been visible to all worshippers within the church.
Templon in front of the sanctuary
The templon standing in front of the sanctuary is contemporaneous with the church. It consists of six columns, polygonal in their lower sections and round in their upper parts. The column capitals are decorated with carved stone ornaments.
Bell tower of Sioni Church
The church façades are plain, with exterior decoration limited to window brows. A two-story bell tower with a square plan stands to the north of the church. According to an inscription on its exterior front wall, it was built in 1917. The lower story serves as a passageway leading to the church courtyard, while the upper story functioned as a belfry.
Sioni Church and adjacent buildings viewed from the north
Ruins of residential buildings on a small hill west of the church date to the late Middle Ages. A five-story defensive tower stands at some distance to the north of the church.
