Ishkhani

Ishkani or Ishkhan, (Armenian: Իշխան, prince, Georgian: იშხანი, Turkish: Işhan) is a ruined Christian monastery in the territory of Turkey in the village of İşhan, Artvin province.

The earliest mention of the monastery is found in The Life of Grigol Khandzteli, a Georgian manuscript dating from the year 951, which is now kept in Jerusalem.

In this manuscript it is stated that Saba, the nephew and follower of the priest Gregory of Khandzta,[1] founded a monastery on the site of an earlier church.

Below this scene, repeated four times at each axis, is a two-wheeled chariot, drawn by four winged horses and driven by a standing figure.

However, a female figure dressed in blue, carrying a diadem and holding a church model in her hand can still be observed on the intrado of the northwestern window.

The facades of the church constructed with well-cut, multi — coloured stones are enlivened by recessed blind arcades and deep triangular niches.

The conícal roof of the dome is covered with alternating rows of dark red and grey coloured glazed tiles.

The patterns of the capitals and bases of the columns, of the arches and window frames, of the drums and cornices do not follow a strict decorative program.

Constructed in 1006, the chapel (outer dimensions 10.30x5.70 meters) is a single-naved, vaulted structure with an apse and two windows, one to the east and the other to the west.

Altar columns
Inscription of King Gurgen of Iberia , in Georgian, with the date 1006 in both Georgian and Armenian, on the cathedral's oratory chapel