ON THE DATING AND MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP OF TWO MONUMENTS AT VARDISUBANI (CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF THE MATERIAL CULTURE IN THE KHRAMI VALLEY)

Abstract

The present study examines several aspects concerning the dating and mutual relationship of two monuments located in the Khrami (also known as Ktsia) Valley. Both structures at Vardisubani (modern-day Bediani) are well known in scholarly literature, where various and sometimes contradictory opinions have been expressed regarding their chronology and typology. From a typological perspective, both monuments are undomed structures of roughly similar layout: one represents a distinctly defined three-church basilica type, while the other—smaller in scale—approaches this type to a certain extent but is generally considered a hall church with annexes.

The paper presents an analysis of existing scholarly literature and historical sources concerning these monuments, as well as an attempt at their comparative study, although this aspect of the research remains unfinished. The two structures are situated within the same village, approximately 500 meters apart. According to Prince Vakhushti Bagrationi, the historical name of the village is Vardisubani, whereas in the second half of the twentieth century it was renamed Bediani.

According to the scholarly consensus, the smaller church of St. George, located in the center of the village, is dated to the 9th–10th centuries, whereas the construction of the larger three-church basilica of the Virgin is generally assigned to a broader time span between the 15th and 17th centuries.

This study discusses the scholarly opinions expressed in previous research and, based on an analysis of the artistic and stylistic features of the monuments and the available paleographic material, proposes a revised attempt at their dating. In addition, special attention is paid to the issue of the spatial interrelation between these two monuments situated within a small area—an aspect which, through planimetric analysis, allows for the formulation of particularly significant conclusions.

Key words: Khrami Valley, Monuments of the Khrami Valley, Bediani Convent, Church of Vardisubani, Church of the Virgin in Bediani, Umadlo Sanctuary, Basilica of Bediani, Basilica of Vardisubani, Three-Church Basilica, Churches of the Town of Bediani.