The Submerged Jvarpatiosani Church of Zhinvali

About this activity

The Submerged Jvarpatiosani Church of Zhinvali: A Lost Treasure Beneath the Reservoir

Overview

The Jvarpatiosani Church, meaning the Church of the Honorable/Venerable Cross, of Old Zhinvali is a poignant example of Georgia’s rich medieval heritage tragically lost to modern development. Once a significant landmark in the historical settlement of Zhinvali, located in the Aragvi River valley north of Mtskheta, this medieval domed church now lies submerged beneath the waters of the Zhinvali Reservoir, created in the mid-1980s. Its story is one of historical significance, architectural merit, and eventual sacrifice in the name of progress, leaving behind a legacy preserved primarily in historical records, photographs, and the occasional ghostly emergence of its ruins during periods of extreme drought.

Historical Zhinvali was an important town and fortress strategically located at the confluence of the Pshavi Aragvi and Mtiuleti/Tetri Aragvi rivers. The Jvarpatiosani church served as one of its principal religious centers. While precise dating can be complex, the church is often believed to have medieval origins, possibly dating back to the 12th or 13th centuries, perhaps even with earlier foundations. Some accounts associate a major rebuilding or flourishing phase with the reigns of King George III or Queen Tamar (late 12th century), indicating its importance during Georgia’s Golden Age. Architecturally, it was a domed church, likely following the cross-in-square plan typical of the period, built of stone and serving its community for centuries.

The fate of the church, along with the entire settlement of Old Zhinvali, was sealed with the decision to construct the Zhinvali Hydroelectric Power Plant and its associated reservoir. This massive project, aimed at providing water and electricity, necessitated the flooding of a significant portion of the Aragvi valley. Unlike some other historical monuments threatened by Soviet-era construction projects (like Tianeti Sioni, which was relocated), the Jvarpatiosani church of Zhinvali was not moved. Archaeological investigations were carried out before the flooding, documenting the church and other findings in the area.

In 1985-1986, the reservoir began to fill, and the Jvarpatiosani church, along with the old town, disappeared beneath the rising waters. Today, it exists as a submerged archaeological site. In years with exceptionally low water levels, parts of the church’s dome or upper structure have occasionally become visible above the water’s surface, serving as a haunting reminder of the lost settlement and its spiritual heart. It remains a symbol of submerged heritage, remembered through historical accounts and the rare, fleeting glimpses afforded by nature.

Basic Identification

• Full Name: Jvarpatiosani Church of Zhinvali (Church of the Honorable/Venerable Cross) (Georgian: ჟინვალის ჯვარპატიოსნის ეკლესია, Zhinvalis Jvarpatiosnis Eklesia).
• Type: Church (Georgian Orthodox), now submerged ruins.
• Location: The ruins are located under the waters of the Zhinvali Reservoir, near the site of the former historical settlement of Zhinvali, Dusheti Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Georgia. The reservoir is located north of Tbilisi, near the Ananuri Fortress Complex.

Historical Background

• Founding: Likely founded in the medieval period, possibly 12th-13th centuries or earlier. Significant construction or rebuilding possibly occurred in the late 12th century (reigns of George III or Tamar).
• Key Dates & Events:

• 12th-13th Centuries (?): Period of likely founding or major construction.
• Medieval/Early Modern Periods: Functioned as a key church in the town of Zhinvali.
• 1970s-Early 1980s: Archaeological investigations conducted in the area before flooding.
• 1985-1986: Submerged during the filling of the Zhinvali Reservoir.
• Occasional Years (low water levels): Parts of the ruins become temporarily visible.

• Historical Figures: Possibly associated with patrons from the Georgian monarchy (George III, Tamar) or local feudal lords (Eristavis of Aragvi) during its active periods, but specific documentation might be limited.
• Legends: Specific legends are not widely cited, but the occasional reappearance of the church from the water fuels contemporary fascination and reflection.

Significance and Purpose

• Religious Importance: Historically, a major Orthodox church dedicated to the Holy Cross, serving the significant settlement of Zhinvali. Its current significance is primarily historical and memorial.
• Cultural Importance: A lost monument of Georgian medieval architecture and history. Its submersion is a significant event in the context of Soviet-era development projects impacting cultural heritage in Georgia.
• Architectural Importance: Based on pre-submersion records and occasional sightings, it represented a medieval Georgian domed church (likely cross-in-square plan), contributing to the architectural landscape of the Aragvi valley.
• Current Status: Submerged archaeological ruins at the bottom of the Zhinvali Reservoir. Not an active place of worship or a visitable site under normal conditions.

Architectural and Artistic Description

• Exterior: Based on historical data and visible ruins during low water: A domed church, likely built using stone, following a cross-in-square plan typical for the medieval period. It possessed a central dome on a drum.
• Interior: The layout would have followed the cross-in-square plan with a sanctuary in the eastern apse. Details of interior decoration (frescoes, iconostasis) are largely unknown or lost, though archaeological finds might have provided some clues before submersion.
• Artworks: Any surviving artworks are submerged. Historical photographs or archaeological reports are the main sources for understanding its original appearance or contents.
• Complex: The church was part of the historical settlement of Zhinvali, which included other structures, fortifications, and dwellings, all now submerged.

Practical Visitor Information (Crucial for travelers)

• !!! IMPORTANT NOTE ON ACCESS !!!: The Jvarpatiosani Church of Zhinvali is submerged beneath the Zhinvali Reservoir and is NOT accessible for visits under normal circumstances.
• Opening Hours: Not applicable.
• Admission Fees: Not applicable.
• Accessibility: Not applicable. Viewing is only possible from the shores of the reservoir or by boat. The ruins themselves only become partially visible during rare periods of extremely low water levels and are not safely accessible even then.
• Rules and Etiquette: Not applicable for visiting the structure. Standard respect for viewing historical sites from a distance applies. Boating near the site (if location is known precisely) should be done cautiously.
• Photography/Videography: Photography is possible of the reservoir itself, or of the ruins if they happen to be visible due to low water levels (a rare event).
• Behavior: Not applicable for visiting the structure.
• Facilities: Visitor facilities (viewpoints, cafes, shops near Ananuri) exist around the Zhinvali Reservoir shores, but none relate directly to accessing the submerged church.
• Service Times: Not applicable.