Makravank Monastery

Armenian church-complex

40°31′39″N 44°44′14″E / 40.5275°N 44.737222°E / 40.5275; 44.737222ArchitectureTypeCruciform central-planStyleArmenianCompleted10th-13th centuriesDome(s)1

Makravank (Armenian: Մաքրավանք) is an Armenian church-complex located in the Makravan district of Hrazdan, the capital of Kotayk Province, Armenia.^[1] The monastic complex includes a half-ruined 11th-century chapel.^[2] The 13th-century church dedicated to Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) has a circular tambour and a conical cupola.^[3] The complex also includes the lower walls of the gavit and a medieval cemetery.^[1]

Architecture

The Church of S. Astvatsatsin has a single central drum which supports a conical dome above. Narrow windows with bell style arches are positioned at each of the four cardinal directions. The arch of the window at the south end is flanked by Bolnisi style crosses at either side, while another example of this style of cross may be seen above the small window at the rear of the 11th-century chapel adjacent to S. Astvatsatsin. It is slightly different though, in that the cross stands on a stepped plinth. A single portal leads into the church, while a separate entry is utilized for the chapel. A semi-circular tympanum above the entry to S. Astvatsatsin contains a single-line inscription in Armenian and four Armenian-style crosses in bas-relief. Its altar is constructed of wood and is painted several different hues (reds, greens, blues, etc.).

The adjacent (south) 10th/11th-century Holy Redeemer chapel^[4] is a simple building with a gable roof. It has two small, narrow windows; one at the front, and one at the rear. A smaller semi-circular tympanum rests above the door to the chapel, while two large khachkars sit in front. To the west of S. Astvatsatsin and near the chapel, are the lower walls of the church's gavit that now serve as a wall for a courtyard. The monastery's medieval cemetery sits to the east and also has several interesting khachkars and tombstones.

Gallery

S. Astvatsatsin Church, south façade
S. Astvatsatsin Church dome
Tympanum above the entry to S. Astvatsatsin
11th-century chapel adjacent to S. Astvatsatsin Church, west façade
Large khachkar adjacent to the entry to S. Astvatsatsin Church
Cemetery with several khachkars
Cemetery with several khachkars
Tombstone depicting musicians

References

^ ^a ^b (in Armenian) Hasratyan, Murad. Մաքրավանք (Mak'ravank'). Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. vol. vii. Yerevan: Armenian Academy of Sciences, 1981, pp. 370-371.
^ Brady Kiesling, Raffi Kojian (2001). Rediscovering Armenia: an archaeological/touristic gazetteer and map set for the historical monuments of Armenia. Tigran Mets. p. 39.
^ Nicholas Holding (2006). Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 142. ISBN 1-84162-163-3.
^ Holding, Deirdre (2014). Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh (Bradt Travel Guides) (4th ed.). Guilford, Conn.: The Globe Pequot Press Inc. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-1-84162-555-3.