It is one of the main architectural features of the historic site of Samshvilde, located in Georgia's southern region of Kvemo Kartli.

[1] The Sioni church is part of the Samshvilde historic site, which is centered in a naturally fortified location, a rocky terrain at the confluence of the Khrami and Chivchavi rivers, 4 km south of the town of Tetritsqaro.

[2] The extant fragments of the Sioni church date to the period of 759–777 as suggested by a foundational inscription, in the medieval Georgian asomtavruli script, from the better-preserved eastern façade, containing references to the contemporary Byzantine emperors Constantine V and Leo IV the Khazar.

[3] The Sioni church is built of neatly hewn yellow sandstone blocks and externally measures 24 × 24 metres.

The side apses communicated openly with the sanctuary and the central bay rather than forming individual chambers.