Hovvi (Shepherd's) Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Hovvi (Shepherd's) Church

Turkey / Kars / Bash-Shoragyal / Ani

Location

The sanctuary which is situated about a km north of the boundaries of Ani or Smbat’s (Zakarian) Ramparts is considered as one of the former suburb churches of the city.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 141.

Historical Introduction

Hovvi Church was preserved standing until the early 1960s, after which it was deliberately destroyed, most of its stones being appropriated. As of 2010, the foundations of its meagre remnants were excavated by gold diggers.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 141.

Architectural Description
1912 y․

Architect T. Toramanian, who had been engaged in the restoration of the church since 1908, wrote the following in 1912: “With its three-floor structure Hovvi Church might be considered a miniature of Zvartnots and St. Grigor [Church] of Ani. In the interior, the six arches which rest on the pilasters remain hanging in the air without anything to support them, and this is a true masterpiece of creative mind and building sagacity. Its plan and outer attractiveness make it unique and unmatched for me in entire historical architecture.” It is worth adding that the overhead covering of the first floor of the church, as described above, has its parallel in the narthex of Sourb Arakelots Church of Ani.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 141.

Exterior dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 metres.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 141.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the west
Author Toros Toramanian
Source Black-and-white negative

The remnants of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the east
Author Toros Toramanian
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1900 y․

The remnants of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south
Author Toros Toramanian
Source Black-and-white negative

The remnants of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2007 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

The remnants of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

The remnants of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch

The plan of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch

The plan of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch
Date 2010 y․

The plan of the 2nd floor of Hovvi (Shepherd’s) Church