Монастырь Цицернаванк (Арцах)

Шаблон:Churcht Dzidzernavank.Цицернакаванк.Dzidzernavank, one of the biggest monuments of Armenian heritage in Artzakh, after Gandzassar and Dadivank, is situated in the Northern part of Kashatagh. Vue : The state of the Dzidzernavank, photographed by Samvel Karabedian, just after the liberation of Kashtagh region..The church was on the verge of crumbling, the roof destroyed.. We can notice behind the hill, named 'Dzizer', a worshipping place in pagan times, at the origin of the Hellenic temple destroyed on IV cent.. (photo RAA) One of the holiest monasteries of Armenian heritage, Dzidzernavak was in ruins, the roof destroyed, and risking total collpase at the time of its liberation on June 1992. It was totally renovated thanks to Arch. Achjian and a US benefactor. The Southern side of Dzidzernavak, after renovation. The basilica, one of the oldest of the worl, was erected on the basements of a hellenic type temple, like the one in Garni.http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/iaa_architecture/tsitsernavank.htm

TSITSERNAVANK

Type: Three aisled basilica Location: 10 km from the village of Khonotsakh, near Lachin, Karabagh Date: V-VI c. Evidence for date: Important details: Pillars were originally square and later made wider in length. Hidden apse. Two side chambers. One roof highland, Hellenistic type. State of preservation: Deserted, everything existing Reconstruction: Summary: The name means "Swallows Monastery". This complex still enclosed in its protective walls is located on a low hill dominating a wide valley.

The ground plan resembles that of the triple-nave basilicas of Eghvard, Ashtarak, and Aparan but with still more striking orientalizing traits. The horseshoe shaped apse is enclosed in the thickness of the wall and the small windows also have the same form. The entrances on the south side and the internal proportions of the nave show a remarkable vertical thrust which is accentuated by the reduced dimensions of the side aisles and the cross vaulting of the main nave. One of the most unusual details is the tripartite gallery (now inaccessible) in the apse; some analogy may be found in Visigothic art despite the improbability of stylistic contact. The basilica was built on a previous pagan structure of which the subsisting foundations are clearly distinguishable through the difference in the materials used. The north wall and all interior pillars have been coated with reinforcements in masonry perhaps as a result of a tendency to landslides.

The geometric bas-reliefs on the pillars are very interesting as well as the curious small niches whose purpose is unknown.

Bibliography: Sahin 1948 p. 129 Even 1955 p. 58 Cuneo REA 4 1957 203-216 Mnatz 1960 p. 14 Cuneo 1967 monograph Cuneo plan no. 43. Fig. 11-14 Khatch Fig. 32, plan. AMA 1968 80 Khatch 1971 43-5, 62, pl. 7 fig. 31 Cuneo 1973 104, 106-7, 109n, 110 D'Onofrio 1973 90-1, 111, 112n, ill. 48 & 65 Gandolfo 1973 213 Kouymjian 1973 15 Kouymjian 1974 1 Kouymjian 1978 20 Zarian REA 197. ... AA 1981 31-32