Church :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Church 9 — 10 cc․

NKR / Kashatagh / Varazgom

Historical Introduction
1982 y․

The Varazgom church was first described in 1982 (based on the materials of the expedition furnished in the beginning of sixties).

"Corpus", Issue 5, compiled by S. Barkhudarian, Yerevan, 1982, p. 7.
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 133.

1986 y․

Its detailed investigation was published in 1986.

R. Abgarian, Newly Discovered Monument of Armenian Architecture, "Echmiadzin" magazine, 1986, v. 6, p. 48-53 (in Arm.).
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 133.

1985 y․

Some materials of my research conducted in 1985 (photos and the plan) were published later.

Documenti di Architettura Armenia, Gharabagh, N 19, Milano, 1988, p. 60.
Patrik Donapedian, Claude Mutafian, Artsakh, Histoire du Karabagh, Paris, 1991, p. 152-153.
"Azatamart" weekly, 1992, N 21, p. 14.
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 133.

Architectural Description
16 — 17 cc․

It is acknowledged that cross-planned domed compositions were rather well spread in Armenian medieval architecture. Such churches differ from each other by the number of altar apses. Particularly, there are one altar, three or four altar churches, but, we have not yet met another sample, besides the Varazgomer church, which would have double altars (in the eastern and northern sides). This unique temple was built both of coarse and processed stone and mortar. The interior is plastered. Traces of renovation, performed in the 16th- 17th centuries are visible on the exterior (especially on the western facade). The dome and the southern wall are destroyed. Local Kurds have also demolished the lower rows of the walls stone facing (especially on the eastern facade). By building technique and constructive peculiarities this church resembles other cult structures of Syunik (Tatev, Vorotnavank, etc.) dating back to the 9th -11th centuries. The drum is cylindrical both from the inside and outside. Pilasters supporting the dome are linked with the latter by double tromps (in the eastern side), and by the pendentive (in the western side). The drum is decorated by the relieves of four Evangelists. External dimensions of the church are 10,55x10,00 m and the height preserved up to the end of the drum - (the beginning of the dome) is 9,60 m. The walls are 95 cm wide.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 133.

Description

A number of cross-stones (10th to 12th cc.) are preserved near the church.

Kortoshian, Raffi. The Endangered Christian Armenian Heritage of Artsakh, Yerevan, 2022, p. 194.

Type Photo
Direction From the north
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1994 y․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Pendentives and the tromps of the four angles of the dome base

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Pendentives and the tromps of the four angles of the dome base

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Pendentives and the tromps of the four angles of the dome base

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Pendentives and the tromps of the four angles of the dome base

Type Photo
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

Author Samvel Karapetyan

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2016 y․

Author Sasun Danielian