Gavit :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Gavit 1224 y․

NKR / Karvajar / Dadivank

Historical Introduction
1224 y․

It was built 10 years later than the cathedral, in 1224. It was linked to the church of Saint Dad on the west and served a burial vault for the princely dynasty of Haterk.

It is strange that M. Hasratian has ignored two windows cut in the Southern face of the chapel. Compare his description: "The structure has no windows and the only source of light is the erdik - opened in the dome. The dusk suits to the main assignment of the building, which was the burial vault of the princely dynasty of Haterk", see: the above mentioned work, p. 52. Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, pp. 84-85.

Architectural Description

Khachkars inside the chapel (internal dimensions are 14.00 x 9.50 m), are put along or fastened into the whole eastern wall.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 85.

Description

The Chapel, The chapel is compositionally resemblant of the “Temple” built in 1211. It is one of a few precisely dated structures of the complex.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, pp. 84-85.

As witnessed by dating (1199, 1233, and 1291) the crosses were carved both before the construction of the chapel, and after it. Three tombstones inside the chapel date back respectively to 1305, 1306, and 1333.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 85.

Inscription, Armenian, Engraved, Construction 1224 y․

8 lines on the processed stone of the southern facade of the chapel, near the entrance:
“IN YEAR 1224. I, FATHER GRIGORIS, THE SUPERIOR OF THIS HOLY CONVENT, SON OF VASAK, THE MARTYR, BUILT THIS CHAPEL FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF MY SOUL AND PRAYERS.”

Published in: "Corpus", Issue 5, compiled by S. Barkhudarian, Yerevan, 1982, p. 210; Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 111. Note: The ending expression of the inscription is left incomplete.

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

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

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

Type Photo
View Detail
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative