Multi Apse Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

The Armenian Highland, the Homeland of Armenians

Church

Multi Apse Church

Turkey / Kars / Bash-Shoragyal / Ani

Location

This is a church of six apses—better known in specialised literature by the name of Bazmakhoran meaning Multi-Apse—standing on a massive rock of more than 20 metres of height, at the southern extremity of the Citadel.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 95.

Historical Introduction
10 — 11 cc․

It is attributed to the period between the 10th and 11th centuries and retains a number of donation inscriptions which date from 1170-1190 (carved externally on the upper part of the south-western facet) and the 1320s (engraved inwardly on the southern wall).

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 95.

Architectural Description

Outwardly, Bazmakhoran differs from other churches of the same composition—Aragatz, Shushanik, Abughamrents and Koosanats of Ani, Gogyuba, Kiagmis-alti—in the irregular arrangement of its facets and their volumetric inaccuracy. It has only a single entrance opening from its south-western side. There is a small vestry on either side of the sanctuary. The tambour is circular, due to which, the spire is conical. The church is embellished with several reliefs of equal-winged crosses. Its outer triangular niches and windows are adorned with crowns. Exterior dimensions: 9.8 x 9.35 metres.

Karapetian, Samvel. Ani 1050, Yerevan, 2011, p. 95.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-east
Author Archive
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1900 — 1910 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south
Author Archive
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1900 — 1910 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south
Author Hrayr-Baze Khacherian
Source Colour Negative
Date 2009 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2005 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-east
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 2010 y․

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

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

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

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

Its south-western facade

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

Its eastern facade

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

A section towards the south-east

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

A section towards the east

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

Its roof with a section of the tambour

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

The plan of the roof

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

A partial view of the part above the entrance of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2006 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2006 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Symbols left by the building masters of the monument

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Symbols left by the building masters of the monument

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Part of the outer decoration of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Interior
Author Stephen Sim
Source Colour Negative
Date 2004 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2005 y․

The north-eastern apse of the six-apse (multi-apse) church

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2005 y․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Type Reconstruction
View Exterior
Author Pargev Frankian
Source Sketch
Date 2011 y․

A 3D graphical reconstruction of the six-apse

Type Reconstruction
View Interior
Author Pargev Frankian
Source Sketch
Date 2011 y․

A 3D graphical reconstruction of the six-apse