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KECH'ARIS
- TSAŁKADZOR
/ XIth-Xlllth centuries
This
complex also known as Tsalkadzor from the name of the valley («Valley
of flowers») is located in the central region some 60 kilometers from
Erevan in the direction of Lake Sevan. It is an ensemble particularly
remarkable for the number and variety of its buildings which are of very
different dimensions but contiguous and rigidly alligned on the east.
On the north side stands the main church dedicated to St. Gregory
(1003). It is of the usual type with a domed hall whose apse is flanked
on either side by a two-storied chapel. At present the cupola is
destroyed.
The large gavit added at the beginning of the Xlllth century is
characterized by four chapels superimposed in groups of two on the
eastern side. The two tiny churches adjoining St. Gregory in parallel
have been destroyed and replaced by a series of beautiful Khach'k'ars.
The church of St. Nshan («Holy Cross») of the Xllth century with a
horseshoe apse has remained intact. This church displays a number of
elements once characteristic of Armenian architecture and subsequently
common in Islamic art. It may be compared to the small monastic churches
of Cappadocia, especially Kiliçlar Kilise, Karanlik Kilise and Elmali
Kilise, even though these are more complex monuments with inscribed
cross plan covered by a central dome on four pillars and small secondary
cupolas.
The cathedral is located at the southern extremity of the complex, with
a number of beautiful Khach'k'ars in front of it.
The main plan is that of a domed hall but the apse repeats the horseshoe
shape of that at St. Nshan. The dome no longer exists.
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