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ODZUN
/ VIth-Vllth centuries
This basilica is situated in the region of
Lori in northernmost Armenia, next to the ancient village of Odzunlar
and facing the deep valley of the Dzoraget river. It is a triple-naved
basilica with narrow side aisles built of delicate rose colored tufa.
The crenellated, omega-shaped decoration of the portico suggests that it
was contemporary with the church whose ground plan is of great interest
if compared with the earlier types at Ereruk and Tekor. The basilica is
encircled on three sides by a colonnade which is partially destroyed.
This colonnade ends in two chambers surmounted by small bell-towers.
To the north of the church an unusual and exceptional funeral monument
of the Vlth-Vllth century stands on a high stepped podium. It is
composed of two barrel vaults within which are placed to elegantly
proportioned stelae decorated with delicately sculptured bas-reliefs.
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