Armenian architecture
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Armenian architecture is the architecture native to Armenia.[1] Classical Armenian architecture is largely inspired by Greek and Roman architecture.
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[edit] Characteristics of Armenian Architecture
Traditional Armenian architecture, and Armenian Churches in particular, shares several distinctive features, believed by some to be the first national style of church building[2]
- Vaulted ceilings
- Composed almost entirely of stone, usually volcanic tufa or Basalt.
- A conical or semiconical radially segmented dome or cupola mounted above vaulted ceilings on a cylindrical drum (usually polygonal on the outside, most often octagonal)
- A composite roof composed of finely-cut tufa shingles
- Frescos and carvings, if present, are usually ornate and depict swirling intertwining grapevines and foliage.
- Heavy use of tall structural arches, both for supporting the cupola as part of the drum, the vaulted ceiling, and the vertical walls.
- Perpendicular ridged roofs meeting to support the dome, both in basilicas and centrally-planned churches.
[edit] Construction
Armenian architecture, as it originates in an earthquake-prone region, tends to be built with this hazard in mind. For this reason, Armenian buildings tend to be rather low-slung and thick-walled.
Armenian architecture employs a form of concrete[2]
Garni was built along Hellenistic classical lines, but embodies much of the sacred numerology and geometry devised by Ancestral Armenians 4200 years earlier. Garni's design has great symbolism. The temple has a column to inter column ratio of 1/3 (1 is the primary number of the universe and 3 is the holiest of all numbers as it represents the Greco-Roman triad Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Aside from being aesthetically beautiful, Garni's design can be seen as being a reaffirmation of the universal laws that governed man's destiny. The angles, number of columns, and dimensions were created with a careful eye; Armenian pagans wanted to appease the gods and protect humanity from their wrath. This sacred geometry is evident in the entire temple. To the people who created it, it was the perfect embodiment of their communion with the universe. Note that although sacred geometry was mostly used in religious buildings, secular buildings adopted some aspects of it.[3]
[edit] Christian Armenia
The officialisation of Christianity in 301 made way to new developments in Armenian architecture, which nevertheless preserved older traditions. [4]In fact it would be almost impossible to find any religion that rose completely on its own without borrowing some traditions from the past. Exploring Armenian churches is critical to our understanding of Medieval Armenia. Beyond that, the Armenian churches describe us the general landscape of the Christian East at a time when eyewitness accounts were exceedingly rare. In their messages of authenticity and legitimacy, the churches shaped and preserved public memory, negotiating among diverse linguistic, religious, political, and ethnic groups.[5]
The first Armenian churches were built on the orders of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and were often built on top of pagan temples, and imitated some aspects of Armenian pre-Christian architecture.[3]
[edit] Periods in Armenian Architecture
Classical Armenian Architecture is divided into four separate periods.[2]
[edit] The Formative Period
From the 4th to 7th Century, beginning when Armenia converted to Christianity, and ended by the Arab invasion of Armenia, when the first Armenian Churches were built. Frist simple basilicas, early on but some with side apses. By the fifth century the typical cupola cone in the center had become widely used. By the Seventh century, centrally-planned churches had been built and more complicated "niched buttress" and radiating "Hrip'simé" style had formed. By the time of the Arab invasion, most of what we know know as classical Armenian architecture had formed.
[edit] Bagratid Revival
From the 9th to 11th century, Armenian architecture underwent a revival under the patronage of the Bagratid Dynasty with a great deal of building done in the area of Lake Van, this included both traditional styles and innovations. The ornately carved Armenian Khachkars were developed during this time.[6] Many new cities and churches were built during this time, including a new capital at Lake Van and a new Cathedral on Akdamar Island to match. The Cathedral of Ani was also completed during this dynasty. It wad during this time that the first major monasteries, such as Haghpat and Haritchavank were built. This period was ended by the Seljuk invasion.
[edit] Monasteries Flourish
From the 12th to 14th century under the Zakarid dynasty saw an explosion in the number of monasteries built, including Saghmosavank Monastery, the Akhtala monastery, Kaymaklı Monastery Kecharis Monastery and Makaravank Monastery. Monasteries were institutes of learning, and much of medieval Armenian literature was written in this time period. The invasion of Timurlane and the destruction of Cilician Armenia ended architectural progression from another 250 years.
[edit] Seventeenth Century
The Last great period in classic Armenian construction was under Iranian Safavid Shahs, under which number of new Churches were build, usually at existing holy sites such as Etchmiadzin as well as in diaspora communities like New Julfa.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Vazken Lawrence Parsegian, 1996
- ^ a b c d Architecture, Arts of Armenia (c) Dr. Dickran Kouymjian , Armenian Studies Program, California State University, Fresno
- ^ a b Sacred Geometry and Armenian Architecture | Armenia Travel, History, Archeology & Ecology | TourArmenia | Travel Guide to Armenia
- ^ Architecture of Armenia - Tourist Guide: Tourism Armenia
- ^ Building churches in Armenia: art at the borders of empire and the edge of the canon | Art Bulletin, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Armenia, Past and Present; Elisabeth Bauer, Jacob Schmidheiny, Frederick Leist , 1981
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History of Armenian Architecture:Volume 1
