Belfry :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Belfry 1869 y․

Georgia / Kakhet / Sghnakh / Sghnakh

Historical Introduction
1868 y․

An archive document dating back to 1868 reveals that the belfry of St. Karapet Church was in a state of utter collapse so that it was not even subject to repairs. A new one was planned to be built at 3.461 roubles.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5496, p. 1. The original in Armenian.

1886 y․

On 14 June 1886, the gale-force wind caused heavy damage to the settlement, also “... overthrowing the beautiful, gilded cross of the bell tower of St. Karapet Church with its stone pedestal, allegedly weighing 25-30 poods... .” (A pood is an ancient Russian unit of weight, equal to 16,38 kg).

“Nor-Dar”, 1886, N 100, p. 1. The original in Armenian.

1899 y․

Priest Emmanuel Nazariants testifies that in the late 19th century, the belfry was a tall, splendid building. With that respect a quotation reads, “The belfry of the main church, towering in an elevated area, is about 8 sazhens (17 m – S. K.) tall, its magnificent position dominating over the entire city... .”” (A sazhen is a Russian unit of length, equal to 2 m 13 cm).

Nor-Dar”, 1899, N 30, p. 2. The original in Armenian.

1870 — 1880 yy․

1885 y․

Foundation
1869 y․

In 1869 the foundations of the new belfry were laid.

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5496, p. 20. The original in Armenian.

Repairs
1872 — 1878 yy․

In 1872 Sghnakh’s main church of St. Karapet spent all its income “... on the construction of its bell tower ... .”

National Archives of Armenia, fund 56, list 1, file 5496, p. 9. The original in Armenian.

1915 y․

In 1915 the belfry of St. Karapet Church was again in need of reconstruction.