"Unique" Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

"Unique" Church

Turkey / Kars / Bash-Shoragyal / Ani

Location

The monument the historical name of which has fallen into oblivion—it is conventionally named Unique Church by architect N. Tokarsky—is situated slightly south-east of Arakelots Church.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 155.

Historical Introduction
1909 y․

It was unearthed in 1909, during the excavations headed by N. Marr, and was studied by N. Tokarsky in 1911.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 155.

Architectural Description

The church represents a domed hall with two entrances opening from its southern and western facades. Like the church of Aghjkaberd, it used to have a pair of triangular niches in each of its four facades, as well as sacristies—probably double-floor—only on both sides of the chancel. Its circular drum lay beneath a conical spire.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 155.

Exterior dimensions: 14.7 x 7.4 metres.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 155.

Description

The decoration of the church is especially remarkable for the arcature forming an integral part of the semi-circular wall of the sanctuary, the built-in-wall capitals and certain sculptured fragments unclosed during the excavations.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 155.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2008 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Aram Vruyr
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2011 y․

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Nikolai Tokarsky
Source Sketch
Date 1911 y․

The plan of the “Unique” Church

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Nikolai Tokarsky
Source Sketch
Date 1911 y․

The plan of the “Unique” Church

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Nikolai Tokatsky
Source Sketch
Date 1911 y․

A section towards the north

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Nikolai Tokarsky
Source Sketch
Date 1911 y․

An eastward section

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Nikolai Tokarsky
Source Sketch
Date 1911 y․

Its western facade

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Archive
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1900 — 1910 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Archive
Source Colour Negative
Date 1900 — 1910 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Archive
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1900 — 1910 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2008 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2011 y․

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Pargev Frankian
Source Non-Specified
Date 2011 y․

A 3D graphical reconstruction of the “Unique” Church

Type Reconstruction
View Interior
Author Pargev Frankian
Source Non-Specified
Date 2011 y․

A 3D graphical reconstruction of the “Unique” Church