Belfry :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Belfry 1659 y․

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Getabek / Getabek

Location

Is located several metres north of the gavit.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 230.

Historical Introduction
1659 y․

The belfry, erected in 1659.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 230.

Architectural Description

Represents a square (6.12 x 6.12 metres), its only entrance opening from the western facade. It represents a building of undressed stone, brick and mortar, with a broach and eight circular solid pillars on the second floor. The finely-finished stones placed above the entrance are engraved with a construction inscription above which three khachkars can be seen. The left and right sides of the window of the southern facade are decorated with bas-reliefs representing angels playing the pipe.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, pp. 230-231.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1659 y․

7 lines in the Armenian original carved on three finely-dressed stones set above the belfry entrance opening from the western facade:
By the grace of God, this belfry, dedicated to Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, was erected in the days of Aghvank Catholicos Petros, Sargis the Archimandrite, Father Superior of Charek’s holy monastery, its holy apse being completed through the support and prayers of 70 monks for the eternal glory of our Lord. The local brethren and I, Christ’s humble servant Sargis the Archimandrite, had the holy dome built for the salvation of all believers’ and our souls. May you who read this pray for the repose of our souls. 1659.
The Armenian original published in: “Ardzagank,” 1886, No. 23, pp. 330-331; Jalaliants, S. A Travel to Great Armenia, part 1, Tpghis, 1842, pp. 164-165; “Nor-Dar,” 1893, No. 35, p. 3; Barkhutariants, M. Artsakh. Baku, 1895p. 314; Lalayan, Yer. Gandzak District. In: “Azgagrakan Handes,” vol. 5, Tiflis, 1899, No. 1, p. 338; Reference: S. Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 23.
Note: These sources published the inscription with some major and minor errors and distortions.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 233.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 y․

Its dome of pillars

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 y․

A weathered relief representing an angel playing the pipe

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 y․

The construction inscription of the belfry engraved on its western facade

Type Copied Lapidary Inscription
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan

A traced copy of the construction of the belfry (1659)

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetian
Source Black-and-white negative

Reliefs of angels decorating both sides of the window opening from the southern facade of the belfry