Sourb Astvatzatzin Monastery :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin Monastery 12 — 17 cc․

NKR / Karvajar / Dadivank

Location
12 — 17 cc․

This monastery is situated at the right bank of the Trtu, in the point of its confluence with the tributary Iritsajur, which flows through the narrow canyon of Igadzor. The monastery was built immediately at the right riverbank, on a smooth terrace, surrounded by rather steep woody mountains. Although the monastery was founded in the XII cent., it was perpetually expanding by addition of new structures till the XVII century.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 69.

Historical Introduction
1982 y․

In the opinion of T. Abdullayev (see his report made in 1982), naturally ungrounded, this monastery complex is an Albanian monument.

T. A. Abdullayev, The Albanian Monastery at the Confluence of Bulalli-su and Tertercay (Summary of report at the Republican Scientific Conference on the Problems of the Development of Architecture and City Planning in Azerbaijanian SSR, Baku, 1982 (in Rus.); Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 69.

1987 y․

During my trip of 1987, I copied all of the thirteen epigraphic inscriptions found in situ, preserving their paleography. The results of this research were published in 1989. Years passed. By clear reasons, before April 1993 there was no access to the territory of Kalbajar, particularly to the monastery of Surb Astavatzatzin. The scene of vandalism we saw after the liberation of the region in June 1993, is difficult to describe. Almost all epigraphic inscriptions made on various monastery structures (included inscriptions on the wall plastering and stone facing, or khachkars), which we saw and copied five years ago, were ruthlessly erased. Nothing was left of such valuable epigraphic monuments as building, donatory or renovation inscriptions, or other inscriptions of exceptional historic value.

V. A. Haroutyunian, S. G. Karapetian, N. M. Sargsian, The Monastery Complex of Surb Astvatzatzin in the Province of Tzar, LHG, 1989, N 7, p. 82-92 (in Russian) (see also the Chapter of this monograph: Researches Before the Liberation of Karvajar). 5 of inscriptions found within the monastery complex respectively date by 1174, 1175, 1178, 1195, 1248, 1261. Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 69.

Description

The earliest section of the complex consists of several linked buildings extending in east-west direction. two of them are rather small churches (external dimensions: 4.50x3.60 m and 6.60x4.70 m), two others consist of a columnar hall (5.0x4.80 m), and a church-porch linked to it. Except for the church-porch three other structures are still standing, even though they are weathered. All of the structures were built of coarse stone and mortar, the interior was plastered.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 69.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

Several donatory inscriptions of great historical value were also destroyed during 1989-1992.
“I, SHATBARI, GAVE 4 HAMADIKI OF LAND TO THE POSSESSION OF ASTVATZATZIN ...”

Published in: Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 70.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

Several donatory inscriptions of great historical value were also destroyed during 1989-1992.
“THEY ESTABLISHED FOR ME 6 DAYS OF LITURGY A YEAR. WHOEVER DESTROYS WILL BEAR MY SINS”.

Published in: Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 70.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Commemoration

Several donatory inscriptions of great historical value were also destroyed during 1989-1992.
“BY THE WILL OF GOD, I, PREACHER TIRAVAG BOUGHT THE LOWER PART OF IGADZOR AND GAVE IT TO FATHER GREGORY (THE PRIOR OF) HOLY VIRGIN (MONASTERY OF SURB ASTVATZATZIN) “

Published in: Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, pp. 70-71.

Type Measurement
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Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

Type Measurement
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Direction From the east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
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Type Measurement
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Author Samvel Karapetyan
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Type Measurement
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Direction From the north
Author Samvel Karapetyan
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Author Sasun Danielian
Date 2017 y․

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2015 y․

Author Samvel Karapetyan