Kotratz Zham Church :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Kotratz Zham Church 13 — 14 cc․

Georgia / Javakhk / Akhalkalak / Merenia

Architectural Description

At present the village site is known by the name of Kotratz Zham, which is the Armenian equivalent for Broken Church. The toponym derives from a semi-ruined church which is the only more or less preserved building throughout its territory. It represents a uni-nave vaulted monument entirely built of finely-finished stone (exterior dimensions: 8.20 x 4.25 metres). Judging from the composition and building peculiarities of the sanctuary, it dates from the period between the 13th and 14th centuries.

Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, pp. 395-396.

Repairs
2000 — 2001 yy․

During the years 2000 and 2001, the Armenians of Merenia who were, indeed, guided by their good will carried out some self-willed reconstruction in the church, as a result of which, it was stripped of its essential historical features.

Unfortunately, the work conducted without professional supervision and any certified restoration project has resulted in the distortion of the original architectural features of the church. Such self-willed attitude towards historical monuments should be strongly condemned. Regretful as it is, the Georgian mass media which dwelt upon this issue proved unable to abstain from biassed comments—thus, according to their allegations, in the autumn of 2000, the semi-ruined 11th-century Georgian church standing near the village of Merenia was restored in an Armenian style and was appropriated in this manner. In fact, however, we face illegal, self-willed and incompetent reconstruction of a historical monument, in the aftermath of which, the splendid medieval church was stripped of its primary peculiarities and characteristics. Thus, it is evident that it was not “Armenianised,” as alleged by the Georgian correspondents who seem to be “concerned” with its fate (”დილის გაზეთი”, 20.12.2001, Նաև՝ N 283: “რეზონანსი”, 20.12.2001, N 350: “6 საათზე”, 21.12.2001, N 226). Karapetian. Samvel, Javakhk, Yerevan, 2011, p. 396.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the south-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

A partial view of the western facade of the church named Kotratz Zham (i.e. Broken Church)

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

A built-in-wall capital in its bema

Type Measurement
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Sketch

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-east
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1988 — 1989 yy․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

The semi-ruined church named Kotratz Zham (i.e. Broken Church) as seen from the north-east in 1988 and after its self-willed reconstruction, in 2001

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

The semi-ruined church named Kotratz Zham (i.e. Broken Church) as seen from the north-east in 1988 and after its self-willed reconstruction, in 2001

Type Photo
View Exterior
Direction From the north-west
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 1988 y․

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2001 y․

After its self-willed “restoration” (2001)