Chapel :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Chapel

Turkey / Kars / / Prut

Architectural Description

The next cut-in-rock structure which comes second to the main church by its dimensions stands near the south-western corner of the latter. It almost shares the composition of the church described above, but it is smaller (4.78 x 3.72 metres). As a monument of Christian worship, it is especially noteworthy for its position towards the sides of the horizon—instead of the traditional east-westward direction, it stretches from the north southwards, that is to say, its semi-circular apse overlooks not the east, but the north. Its only entrance, which opens from the east, also serves as a means of communication with an adjacent hall. The structure is illuminated through its only window opening from the south. The chapel shares the decoration of the church: a relief of an equal-winged cross, covered with red paint, adorns the central part of the semi-circular concha, which joins the underdome square through squinches.

Karapetian Samvel, Tzarakar Monastery, in: "Vardzk", 2011, N 4, pp. 35, 39.

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

The concha of the south-western chapel of Tzarakar Monastery

Type Photo
View Interior
Direction From the north
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative
Date 2010 y․

Its interior to the sanctuary (north)

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

Its north-western squinch

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

Its south-western wall pylon

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