Mughni Church, Armenia

Displayed:   times.

In the 17th century life in Eastern Armenia. then under IranÂ’s domination, became relatively stabilized with the immediate result that the economy of the country, where important trade routes lay, revived. Settlements were restored, civil and religious buildings were erected. New monastery complexes were small, as a rule. As distinct from their predecessors they had one church with a chapel and a belfry, residential and service premises situated along the fortress wall which enclosed the bailey. Such were Tatevi Mets Anapat, Khor Virap, Shatinvank, etc., and such is the monastery in the village of Mughni, Ashtarak district.

Standing on an elevation, it is the architectural dominant of a vast settlement and of the territory adjacent to it. Its only church, St. Gevorg, is in the center of a wall-enclosed rectangle the north-eastern corner of which is occupied by celIs and service structures. The first storey of the northern wing housed storerooms. and the second one—monks’ cells.

St. Gevorg church was built in 1661--1669 by the architects Sahak Khizanetsi and his successor Murat. It is of a cross-winged domed basilica type. This capital structure of a considerable size is among the best works of architecture of those times. Although it reproduces the composition of earlier structures of this kind, the temple has individual features all its own: its middle nave is quite broad, its dome is placed not on the transversal axis of the building but away from the altar apse, over the center of the prayer hall. The basilica form clearly prevails over the cross-winged dome-type layout, which is especially evident in the exterior of the structure distinguished by clear-cut shapes.

The open three-arch gallery was built simultaneously with the church: this is a rare phenomenon in the history of Armenian architecture. The gallery is crowned with a 12-column rotund belfry. Its central span is somewhat broader and higher than the side ones. This adds much to the architectural expressiveness of the gallery which, in its turn, livened up the exterior of St. Gevorg church and gave it a more monumental appearance.

Rate this tip:

Rate!

Add Comment >>

Your Name:

Your Comment:

General Tips about Armenia

» Required travel documents for Armenia
» Electric power
» Area code to Armenia
» Metro
» Taxi
» When to Go
» Climate
» Armenia - Electricity
» Armenia - Currency
» Armenia - The Language
» Armenia - history
» Kasagh Basilica
» Kasagh Basilica
» Dvin Ruins
» Avan Church
» Lori Berd
» Erebuni Fortress
» Mughni Church
» Mastara Church
» Ptghni Church
» Yeghvard Church
» Shkhmuradi Monastery
» Aruch Cathedral
» Khor Virap Monastery
» Zvartnots Cathedral
» Yereruyk Basilica
» Talin Cathedral
» Sisavan Church
» Gndevank Monastery
» Grigori Monastery
» Kecharis Monastery
» Hripsime Church
» Vahanavank Monastery
» Selim Caravanserai
» Saghmosavank Monastery
» Garni Temple
» Nor Varagavank Monastery
» Makaravank Monastery
» Ejmiatsin Cathedral Compound
» Ughtasar Petroglyphs
» Noravank Monastery
» Kirants Monastery
» Khuchapi Monastery
» Khorakert Monastery
» Harichavank Monastery
» Sanahin Monastery
» Kobayr Monastery
» Goshavank Monastery
» Akhtala Monastery
» Tatev Monastery
» Haghpat Monastery
» Haghartsin Monastery
» Sardarapat
» Amberd Fortress
» Sevan Monastery
» Geghardadzor's Caves
» Matenadaran
» The State Museum of Armenian History
» Dilizhan
» Alaverdi
» Lake Sevan
» Ashtarak
» Artashat
» Echmiadzin, Armenia
» Gegharkunik, Armenia
» Vanadzor, Armenia
» Tzakhadzor, Armenia
» Khor Virap, Armenia
» Geghard, Armenia
» Garni, Armenia
» Echmiadzin, Armenia
» Nagorno-karabakh, Armenia
» Tathev monastery, Armenia
» Zvartnots, Armenia
» Yerevan, Armenia
» Armenia - overview

   More travel tips about Armenia