ARCHTECTURE in
|
VAYOTSDZOR PROVINCE |
CARAVANSERAI, 1332 ** Selim (Sulema) Caravanserai of the 14th century
CARAVANSERAI
The Caravanserai at Aghnjadzor SURP NSHAN (Surp Astvatsatsin), 18c. *
The church of Surp Nshan (Surp Astvatsatsin) in Yeghegis (Alayaz)
Zorats Church (Surp Stephanos) in yeghegis (Alayaz) ARATES VANK (Surp Sion), 9-13c. ** Arates Vank (Surp Sion) in Arates
SURP ASTVATSATSIN, 13-14c. ** The church of Surp Astvatsatsin at Spitakavor
LANDSCAPE & ARCHED BRIDGE 13c.* TANAHAT (Kara) VANK, 13c. ** There are many lovely reliefs on the wall of Tanahat (Kara) Vank at Tanadi
SURP SION, 9,13c. *
The church of Surp Sion. Looking like twin churches, the interior is a single room with two apses. GNDE VANK, 10-18c. ** The fortify-ied Gnde Vank at Gndevaz in a deep gorge ( PC.207)
SURP ASTVATSATSIN, 14c. **
On a high land at the village of Areni near the left bank of the Arpa River stands the exquisite church of Areni. An inscription on the west portal saids that the church was built in 1321 for the archbishop of Syunik, Yovhannes Orbelean, by the architect Momik, who was also a sculptor, being one of the most famous architects in medieval Armenia. The church's longitudinal slender figure is the typical style of Armenian churches in the 13th and 14th century.
NORA VANK, 13-14c. ***
This is a Vank (monastery) located in isolation on a mountain 3km from Amaghu village, on the south of Yeghegnadzor. Since the top bell tower has been reconstructed after long lost state, it gives a surrealistic impression that such renewed beautiful edifice suddenly appears in a canyon surrounded with craggy sheer precipices. Nora Vank meaning 'New Monastery' was established in 1105 by Bishop Yovhannes. It was donated by the Orbelian Family, nobles of Syunik province.
The church of Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) was built in 1339, also called 'Burtelashen' after its patron Burtel Orbelian. On the small flat area facing a canyon stands mainly this and the church of Surp Karapet. The architects were famous Momik and Siranês. The same form as this three tiered conspicuous church can be seen only in Surp Astvatsatsin Church in Yeghvard in Middle Armenia and a smaller church of Kapta Vank in nearby Kaputan.
Another church, Surp Karapet was constructed in 1221 to 27.@As visitors to this Vank are tend to be captivated by the church of Surp Astvatsatsin in the first place, the church of Surp Karapet deep in the precincts would be set aside. However, this church is older and is the main facility in Nora Vank.
Gavit was built in 1261 by Smbat Orbelian and was rebuilt larger in 1321. While the current one is a vast astylar hall, the initial one is supposed to have had four pillars inside. There are many khachkars in the Gavit, some are put independently on the floor and the others are set in the walls. The khachkar placed on the right wall of the doorway of the Surp Karapet Church is particularly large and excellent.
INDEX
|
SYUNIK PROVINCE |
ANCIENT OBSERVATORY, c 5c. B.C. * Ancient Observatory? Religious Center?
SURP HOVHANNES, 670-689 ** The church of Surp Hovhannes (Siuni Vank) in Sisian
FUNERARY MONUMENT, 7c. *
In the center of Aghitu village, 7km east of Sisian, is a peculiar structure from about the 7th century. It is presumed to have been a funerary monument of unknown person due to the lack of any epitaph. Its height is about 11meters, with two arched openings in its facade on the ground floor. The vaulted room at the rear of the larger one might be the tomb chamber, but any tombstone has not found, suggesting a possibility of other function of the monument. At the rear of the smaller arch is a kind of gallery with an arcaded opening to the left. On that side was likely a small chapel, about which we know nothing.
VOROTNA VANK, 9-10c. ** Vorotna Vank at Vorotan, the main church is Surp Stephanos in 990.
(From "Architettura Armena" Paolo Cuneo, Deluca Editore)
SURP STEPHANOS, 491 The ruins of the church of Surp Stephanos at Tanahat
OLD VILLAGE
Old Village of Goris CAVE VILLAGE * Cave village pf Khndzoresk and a church
NORA VANK, 10-11c. ** Although small, the Nora Vank (New Monastery) at Bgheno is a fine piece of architecture, located 12km northeast of Tatev. It is scrupulously made of grey basalt. It has three-span arched porch, the central one of which is open as the entrance and the others are blind as well as side walls, impressing itself as a massive building, though its facade is quite ornamental with arches and capitals with delicate carvings, reminding us of simultaneous Romanesque churches and their sculptures in Russillon, France. Especially a relief sculptured panel on the wall of the central nave is idyllically attractive.
Plan of Bgheno Nora Vank_QQQQQQQ_ Originally a church and a leper hospital were erected here in 936. After they had disappeared, it was reconstructed into a three-aisled stone church by Bishop Yovhannes of Siunia and completed in 1062. The porch is supposed to be a later addition.
TATEV VANK, 10-11, 13c. *** The great fortified Vank of Tatev
VAHANA VANK, 10c. ** Vahana Vank in the mountains 8km west of Kapan. Repair was almost finishing.
SURP ASTVATSATSIN, 17c. ** The Iranian border is in the town of Agarak 8km from Meghri, people can go to Iran across the bridge on the Arax River. The churches of Meghri are made of brick like Iranian mosques and usually full of murals.
|