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| Noravank | |
|---|---|
Նորավանք | |
 Surb Astvatsatsin and Surb Karapet Churches with Surb Grigor's Chapel to the right, Noravank | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Amaghu Valley,Vayots Dzor Province,Armenia |
  Shown within Armenia Show map of Armenia Noravank (Vayots Dzor) Show map of Vayots Dzor | |
| Coordinates | 39°41′03″N45°13′58″E / 39.684061°N 45.232872°E /39.684061; 45.232872 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Armenian |
| Groundbreaking | 1205 |
Noravank (Armenian:Նորավանք,lit. 'new monastery') is a 13th-centuryArmenian monastery, located 122 km fromYerevan in a narrowgorge made by the Amaghu River, near the town ofYeghegnadzor inArmenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-redcliffs, directly across from the monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building.
The monastery is sometimes called Noravank at Amaghu, with Amaghu being the name of a small and nowadays abandoned village above the canyon, in order to distinguish it fromBgheno-Noravank, nearGoris. In the 13th–14th centuries the monastery became a residence ofSyunik'sbishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially withGladzor's famed university and library.
Noravank was founded in1105 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot ofVahanavank near the present-day city of Kapan inSyunik. The monastic complex includes the church of S. Karapet, S. Grigorchapel with a vaulted hall, and the church of S. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). Ruins of various civil buildings andkhachkars are found both inside and outside of the compound walls. Noravank was the residence of theOrbelian princes. The architect Siranes and the miniature painter and sculptorMomik worked here in the latter part of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century.[1]
The fortress walls surrounding the complex were built in the 17th–18th centuries.
The grandest structure is Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), also called Burtelashen (Burtel's construction) in the honour of Prince Burtel Orbelian, its financier. It is situated to the south-east of the Surb Karapet church. Surb Astvatsatsin was completed in 1339, a masterpiece of the talented sculptor and miniaturistMomik, who designed it, and was also his last work. Near the church there is his tomb khachkar, small and modestly decorated, dated the same year. In recent times the fallen roof had been covered with a plain hipped roof. In 1997 the drum and its conical roof was rebuilt, with the form based on existing fragments. However, it has been criticized as being a "fantasy reconstruction".[2]The ground floor contained elaborate tombs of Burtel and his family. Narrow steps projecting from the west façade lead to the entrance into the church/oratory. There is fine relief sculpture over the entrance, depicting Christ flanked by Peter and Paul.
Burtelashen is a highly artistic monument reminiscent of the tower-like burial structures of the first years of Christianity in Armenia. It is a memorial church. Its ground floor, rectangular in plan, was a familyburial vault; the floor above, cross-shaped in plan, was a memorial temple crowned with a multi-columned rotunda.
Burtelashen is the dominant structure in Noravank. The original three-tier composition of the building is based on the increasing height of the tiers and the combination of the heavy bottom with the divided middle and the semi-open top. Accordingly, decoration is more modest at the bottom and richer at the top. Employed as decorative elements are columns, small arches, profiled braces forming crosses of various shapes, medallions, interlaced banding around windows and doors.
The western portal is decorated with special splendour. An important role in its decoration is played by thecantilevered stairs that lead to the upper level, with profiled butts to the steps. The doorways are framed with broad rectangular plaitbands, with ledges in the upper part, with columns, fillets and strips of various, mostly geometrical, fine and intricate patterns. Between the outer plathand and the arched framing of the openings there are representations of doves and sirens with women's crowned heads. Such reliefs were widely used in fourteenth-century Armenian art and in earlier times in architecture, miniatures and works of applied art, on various vessels and bowls. The entrance tympanums are decorated with bas-reliefs showing, on the lower tympanium, theHoly Virgin with the Child andArchangelsGabriel andMichael at her sides, and, on the upper tympanum, a half-length representation of Christ and figures of the Apostles Peter and Paul. As distinct from the reliefs of Noravank's vestry, these ones are carved on a plain surface, which gives them greater independence. The figures are distinguished by their plasticity of form, softness of modeling, and accentuation of certain details of clothing.
A group of the founders of Burtelashen is depicted on three columns of the western part of its rotunda. The picture consisted of relief figures of the Holy Virgin with the Child, sitting on a throne, and two standing men in rich attire, one of them holding a model of the temple.
The second church is the Surb Karapet, a cross within square design with restored drum and dome built in 1216–1227, just north of the ruins of the original Surb Karapet, destroyed in an earthquake. The church was built by the decree of PrinceLiparit Orbelian.
In 1340 an earthquake destroyed the dome of the church which in 1361 was reconstructed by the architect Siranes. In 1931 the dome was damaged during another earthquake. In 1949, the roof and the walls of the church were repaired. In 1998 the roof and drum was rebuilt with the aid of anArmenian-Canadian family.
Forming the western antechamber is an impressive gavit of 1261, decorated with splendid khachkars and with a series of inscribed gravestones in the floor. Note the famous carvings over the outside lintel. The church houses PrinceSmbat Orbelian's mausoleum. The gavit was probably a four-pillar one. In 1321 the building, probably destroyed by an earthquake, was covered with a new roof in the shape of an enormous stone tent with horizontal divisions, imitating the wooden roof of thehazarashen—type peasant home. This made the structure quite different from other Armenian monuments of the same kind. The ceiling has four rows of brackets forming stalactite vaulting (cf.muqarnas) with a square lighting aperture at the top. A broad protruding girth over the half-columns, the deep niches with khachkars and the low tent-like ceiling almost devoid of decoration give the dimly lit interior a gloomy look.
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The exterior decoration focus' mainly on the western facade where the entrance to the building is. Framed in two rows of trefoils and an inscription, the semi-circulartympanum of the door is filled with an ornament and with a representation of the Holy Virgin seated on a rug with the Child and flanked by two saints. The ornament also has large letters interlaced by shoots with leaves and flowers. The Holy Virgin is sitting in the Oriental way with Child. The pattern of the rug is visible with drooping tassels. In Syunik temples of the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries the cult of the Holy Virgin was widely spread. She was depicted in relief, and many churches were dedicated to her.
The pointed tympanum of the twin window over the door is decorated with a unique relief representation of the large-headed and beardedGod the Father with large almond shaped eyes blessing the Crucifix with his right hand and holding in his left hand the head ofJohn the Baptist, with a dove — the Holy Spirit — above it. In the right corner of the tympanum there is a seraph dove; the space between it and the figure of the Father is filled with an inscription.
The side chapel ofSurb (Saint) Grigor was added by the architectSiranes to the northern wall of Surb Karapet church in 1275. The chapel contains more Orbelian family tombs, including a splendid carved lion/human tombstone dated 1300, covering the grave of Elikum son of Prince Tarsayich Orbelian. The modest structure has a rectangular plan, with a semi-circular altar and a vaulted ceiling on a wall arch. The entrance with an arched tympanum is decorated with columns, and the altar apse is flanked with khachkars and representations of doves in relief.
The complex has several survivingkhachkars. The most intricate of them all is a 1308 khachkar by Momik. Standing out against the carved background are a large cross over a shield-shaped rosette and salient eight-pointed stars vertically arranged on its sides. The top of the khachkar shows aDeesis scene framed in cinquefoil arches symbolizing a pergola as suggested by the background ornament of flowers, fruit and vine leaves.
The area is a part of the Gnisheek Prime Butterfly Area[3] and theNoravank Important Bird Area.[4] A wide variety of animals and plants can be found here, such as the Bezoar Goat,Bearded Vulture,Alexanor butterfly, and others.
Chronological History[5] |
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Before the 9th century - According to historianStepanos Orbelian a church dedicated to St. Pokas stands on the monastery site. 800-900 - A church was built: sources call it St. Karapet's or Church of Svag Khoradzor. The name will later be transformed into Noravank (nor = new, vank = monastery), in 1221. 989 - Hovhannes the Scribe copies a Gospel for the priest Stepanos. It is so called Gospel ofEtchmiadzin that contains some miniated pages of an earlier date which are some of the oldest and most famous examples of Armenian miniature art. 1105 - According to historianStepanos Orbelian Bishop Hovhannes, abbot of the monastery ofVahanavank, moves to Noravank and helps to found the first nucleus of monks at the monastery. His brother, Prince Hamtum, then comes to the monastery and helps to develop it. The monastery is to become rich: it will own the two fortresses of Anapat and Hraseka, along with twelve farms. 1154 - Bishop Hovhannes dies and is buried in the monastery. According to the historianStepanos Orbelian, this bishop had founded a church and connected buildings; there is not trace of this complex left today. 1168 - Bishop Grigoris ofSyunik dies and is buried in the monastery. 1170 - Bishop Stepanos, son of Bishop Grigoris, settles in Noravank, choosing it as the seat of the bishopric. Hs is to obtain the Valley of Agarak and fortress of Anapat as donation to the monastery from Mongol Sultan Yelkduz, along with exception from taxes on church property. 1201 - This date is found on akhachkar at the southern entrance of the Church of St. Karapet. 1216 - Bishop Stepanos dies and is buried in the monastery. Father Sargis, his successor, shares the monastery's property withTatev. 1216-1221 - PrinceLiparit Orbelian and Bishop Sargis build a church in the monastery: sources refer to it as the Church of St. Stepanos Noravank (theprotomartyr). 1221 - Bishop Sargis, grandson of Archbishop Stepanos, builds the Church of St. Karapet as the burial chapel for the family. According to the historianStepanos Orbelian, the church was built by the will ofLiparit Orbelian, founder of the dynasty, and building work lasted seven years, ending in 1228. Akhachkar in the west wall of thegavit is dedicated Nazar and Nazlu. 1222 - A memorial to Vasak, who died of a premature death, is inscribed on akhachkar on the south wall of thegavit. 1223 - A Church of St. Stepanos is consecrated and Prince Bupak donates the village of Aghberis to the monastery to commemorate the occasion. 1223-1261 - Agavit is built in the monastery. 13th century - Khatun, daughter of Khalkhashah, donates 300 pieces of silver and an orchard to the monastery. 1232 - A certain Gorg makes various donations to the monastery. 1240 - This date in on akhachkar inside thegavit. 1256 - A certain Shatluys donates an orchard to the monastery. 1260 - Bishop Ter-Stepan ofSyunik dies and is buried in the monasteriesgavit. 1261 - PrinceSmbat Orbelian restores the monasteriesgavit, perhaps with the aid of Bishop Sargis and architect Siranes. There are two inscriptions on thegavit walls bearing the dates 1232 and 1256: this indicates that there was previously another building on the site, and its stones were used for thegavit. In this same year,Prince Smbat donates various goods to the monastery for the salvation of the soul of his brother, Prince Burtel. Near thekhachkar in thegavit there is another, erected in memory of Burtel, son of Elikum, grandson of Liparit. Anotherkhachkar recalls Burtel, son of "prince of princes"Smbat. 1270-1290 - This is the date on akhachkar inside the refectory-hospice that has now partially collapsed. 1271 - A Noravank inscription mentions the name "hovatun" as being a building of unknown purpose. Before 1273 - An inscription reveals that the "prince of princes"Smbat has donated lands and orchards to the monastery. 1273 - King Smbat dies: he was the elder brother of Prince Tarsaich and is buried in the monastery. 1273-1290 - Bishop Sargis builds a hospice close to the monastery and donates various goods to it: the proceeds are used to provide pilgrims with food and drink. 1275 - Prince Tarsaich builds a burial chapel for his brother Smbat and building, the work of architect Siranes, will subsequently house all family tombs. 1277 - Akhachkar is erected on the tomb of Prince Mahevan, son of Senekerim, King of Syunik. 1285 - Kukor erectskhachkar on the tombs of his brother Palka and his mother Aspi. 1287 -Stepanos Orbelian becomes metropolitan ofSyunik. He is one of the most prestigious men of culture and politics in medieval Armenia. He is to leave numerous works of poetry and essays on history. He finally succeeds in uniting the monasteries ofTatev and Noravank. 2nd half of 13th century - A bridge is built to connect the monastery with the region. 1290 - An inscription mentioning the death of the "prince of princes" Tarsaich can be seen at the east entrance of the chapel. 1291 - Amira, grandson of Djurdj, buys an orchard for 4000 pieces of silver and donates it to the monastery. 1292 - The architect-scribeMomik transcribes a beautiful Gospel for the brothers Hovhannes and Tadeos Princess Mina Khatun, daughter of King Djala of the Aghuank and wife of Tarsaich, donates many goods to the monastery. 1298 - Ter Sargis, bishop ofSyunik, dies and is buried in the monastery. Stepanos, bishop ofSyunik and son of "prince of princes" Tarsaich, makes an important donation to the monastery. Princess Mina Khatun is buried in the monastery. 1299 - In the monastery of Noravank, metropolitan and historianStepanos Orbelian finishes his great work entitledHistory of the Province of Syunik (Patmut'yun Nahangin Sisakan). 1300 -Prince Elikum Orbelian dies and is buried in the monastery, in the Chapel of St Grigor; the tomb of the prince, son of Tarsaich, bears a human representation with a lion's tail and paws: these characteristics were attributed to him for his courage in war.Stepanos Orbelian finishes his poem "Lament on Behalf of the Cathedral" ("Voghb i dimats surb Katoghikeyin"). 1302 - The architect-scribeMomik writes and miniates a Gospel forStepanos Orbelian. 1303 - MetropolitanStepanos Orbelian dies and is buried in the monastery. Sandjar, son of Tankarghul, donates an orchard to the monastery on the birth of his son. 1303-1324 - The abbot of monastery is Hovhannes-Orbel, nephew of Prince Liparit. By his will, the architectMomik is to build the Church ofSt. Astvatsatsin atAreni. Also by his will, numerous codices are written in manuscript. 1304 -Momik erects akhachkar to the memory of metropolitanStepanos Orbelian. 1305 - An inscription on his tomb mentions the death of Bishop Grigor ofSyunik. 1307 -Momik and Poghos "vardapet" write and miniate a Gospel. 1308 - Tamta Khatun, mother of Prince Burtel, erects a beautifulkhachkar made by the architectMomik. 1312 - Tamta Khatun, mother of Prince Burtel, is buried in the chapel of King Smbat. Grigor, nephew of Prince Dop, donates various orchards to the monastery. 1318 - Bughta, brother of Burtel, is buried in the chapel of King Smbat and akhachkar is erected in his memory. 1320-1322 - The priest Sargis, nephew of Archbishop Stepanos ofSyunik, builds the church of Noravank. 1321 - St. Karapet's building is probably damaged by an earthquake. 1324 - Hovhannes-Orbel, metropolitan ofSyunik, dies and is buried in the monastery. 1324-1331 - Stepanos Tarsaich Orbelian becomes abbot of the monastery. A student of chiefvardapet Esayi Nshetsi ofUniversity of Gladzor, he is to build the Zorats church in the region ofYeghegis. 1331-1339 - Prince Burtel, as is mentioned in the inscription on the west entrance, builds the Church of St. Astvatsatsin, the so-called "Burtelashen", in the monastery. 1333 - The architect-sculpture-painterMomik dies and is buried in the monastery. The scribe Kiuron re-copies a manuscript by order of Grigoris. 1345 - Gontse, daughter of Paron Khosrovik, donates Khangah orchard to the monastery for salvation of the soul of Amad. 15th century - The architectural model of the two-story funerary chapel spreads throughoutSyunik and all monasteries build chapel of the same type. 1476 - The scribe Poghos re-copies a Gospel. 1486 - Davit Darbin erects akhachkar in the monastery to the memory of Tukhik. 1569 - Bishop Eghishe erects akhachkar to the memory of his uncle Bishop Arakel. 1628 - Tuma Abegha writes Gospel in the monastery. 1600-1700 - Fortified walls, a hospice and various other buildings are constructed in the monastery. 1755 - A battle is fought between Hadji Pasha, who has taken over the monastery, and the armies of Isa Ashag. 1813 - The Persian King,Shah Fath-Ali, hands the monastery to Petros Bek Orbelian and orders the proceeds from the village ofAmaghu be given to the monastery for its running and maintenance. 1840 - An earthquake damages the monastery. 1948-1949 - The Committee for the Conservation of Monuments in Soviet Armenia begins restoration works on the monastery. A. Balasanyan draws up the projects. 1982-1983 - Renewed consolidation, restoration and excavation works at the monastery begin.[need quotation to verify] 1995 - Because of its over restoration, Noravank is denied entry to UNESCO's World Heritage List.[6] 1997 - The drum and conical dome of the Surb Astvatsatsin church is rebuilt.[6] |
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