Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church

Iran / Western Atrpatakan / Salmast / Akhtakhana

Location

Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church (N 38º11°05.30°°; E 044º53°00.23°°) is situated at the northern extremity of Akhtakhana.

Karapetian. Samvel, History of Armenia, Salmast, vol. 2, Yerevan, 2019, p. 101.

Historical Introduction

The available records do not provide any information regarding the exact time of its foundation: in 1875 it was mentioned as already existing. The present-day building traces back to 1891, as reported in its two-line inscription engraved in embossed letters on the arched tympanum (still preserved in situ in 2011) of its western entrance.

Ararat, no. 3 (1876), p. 110. Karapetian. Samvel, History of Armenia, Salmast, vol. 2, Yerevan, 2019, p. 101.

Actually, the year specified in this inscription marks the complete reconstruction of an older church, this being also attested by some press publications.

Պալունի, Վիճակագրական տեղեկութիւն Սալմաստ գաւառի հայ ազգաբնակութեան [Palouny, “Statistical Data Regarding the Armenian Population in Salmast District”], «Նոր-Դար» [Nor-Dar], no. 216, 10 December 1896, p. 3. Karapetian. Samvel, History of Armenia, Salmast, vol. 2, Yerevan, 2019, p. 101.

The church was not damaged by the earthquake of 1930.

J. Tchalenko, M. Berberian, “The Salmas (Iran) Earthquake of May 6th, 1930,” Annals of Geophysics, vol. 27, nos. 1-2 (1974), p. 156. Karapetian. Samvel, History of Armenia, Salmast, vol. 2, Yerevan, 2019, p. 101.

Architectural Description

Sourb Astvatzatzin (exterior dimensions: 17.26 x 9.18 metres) is a three-nave basilica the only entrance of which opens from its western facade. The main altar, which is rectangular in plan, is in the east, with vestries on both its sides. Four circular pillars bear the double-centred vaults and the dome, which is outwardly semi-cylindrical and inwardly square, with concave angles. Each of the western, southern and eastern facades of the church has three windows. Besides, there are also four others opening from the tambour. The font is in its traditional place, in the northern wall. The church which has a large yard is built of undressed stone and bricks which are bound by low-quality mortar. The dome and the pillars bearing it are entirely built of brick. Only few finely-dressed stones are used in the outer angles and entrance of the church. It used to be coated with plaster both inwardly and outwardly. The ornamentation of the church includes some bas reliefs of pipe-playing angels carved around the aforementioned construction inscription. The belfry or narthex once standing adjacent to the western facade of the church has not come down to our days, only the rectangular base stones of its pillars being still preserved.

Թղթակից, Ամփոփ տեղեկանք Սալմաստի հայ համայնքի մասին [Tghtakits, “A Brief Report on the Armenian Community of Salmast”], «Ալիք» [Alik], no. 103, 15 May 1957, p. 4.

Direction From the south-west

AKHTAKHANA. Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church from the south-west Re-printed from: J. Tchalenko, M. Berberian, “The Salmas (Iran) Earthquake of May 6th, 1930,” Annals of Geophysics, vol. 27, nos. 1-2 (1974), p. 179.

Type Measurement
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch
Date 2011 y․

The plan of Sourb Astvatzatzin (Holy Virgin) Church

Type Measurement
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch
Date 2011 y․

Sections

Direction From the west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

Direction From the north-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

View Interior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2011 y․

Its construction inscription