HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

IV-VII centuries, XIII-XIV centuries

State index: 1.2.11

The church complex is located in Avan district, in the area adjacent to N. Safaryan Street, a little far from St. Hovhannes Church, in the gardens. The monument group consists of the St. Astvatsatsin Church, the narthex and the cemetery.

The St. Astvatsatsin Church (also called chapel due to its small size) is one of the early medieval monuments of Armenia. It is partially ruined. It was built in IV-VII centuries, rebuilt in X-XIII and in later centuries. It is a vaulted, one-nave hall with a one-level ground anchor, 3.7 x 5.6 m in size. The pitched roof and the floor are tiled. The building material is reddish and gray tuff. It was destroyed by the great earthquake of the Ararat Valley in 1679. The narthex adjacent from the west (XIII-XIV centuries) is totally ruined.

In 1968 the eastern and northern facades have been partially restored.

In the cemetery near the church (V-VI centuries, XIII-XVII centuries) early medieval and late period cross-stones (khachkar, Arm. Խաչքար) and their fragments, have been preserved, as well as tombstones: some with inscriptions or sculptures (the cross stone of Hovsep and his parents, 1323, the tombstone of Melik and Gharaslan, 1282,  illustrated tombstone, XIV-XV centuries, etc.). One of the early medieval Armenian memorial monuments is the 2.2 m tall, tufa-made, octagonal monument next to the south wall of the church, erected on a multi-level plinth (currently fallen down).

It was renovated in 1968.

“Scientific Research Center of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO