Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia)

Fresco-icons on the south facades of 13th-century churches in Upper Svaneti, Georgia—specifically the Church of the Archangels in Iprari and St. George church in Ipkhi—serve as liminal markers, functioning as visual references to the chancel barrier (templon) and addressing the space in front of them. These exterior murals, depicting the Deesis iconography, play a crucial role in the spatial and symbolic organization of Christian churches, bridging the gap between the sanctuary and the laity. The study interprets the facade fresco-icons as templon imagery, highlighting their significance in religious architecture and ritual practice.

Chichinadze, N. (2014). Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia). Kadmos, 6, 50–94. https://doi.org/10.32859/kadmos/6/50-94