Makravank Monastery Explained

Building Name:Makravank
Մաքրավանք
Map Type:Armenia
Map Size:300
Location:Hrazdan, Kotayk Province,
Armenia
Coordinates:40.5275°N 44.7372°W
Religious Affiliation:Armenian Apostolic Church
Functional Status:Active
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Cruciform central-plan
Architecture Style:Armenian
Year Completed:10th-13th centuries
Dome Quantity:1

Makravank (Armenian: Մաքրավանք) is an Armenian church-complex located in the Makravan district of Hrazdan, the capital of Kotayk Province, Armenia.[1] The monastic complex includes a half-ruined 11th-century chapel.[2] The 13th-century church dedicated to Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) has a circular tambour and a conical cupola.[3] The complex also includes the lower walls of the gavit and a medieval cemetery.[1]

Architecture

The Church of S. Astvatsatsin has a single central drum which supports a conical dome above. Narrow windows with bell style arches are positioned at each of the four cardinal directions. The arch of the window at the south end is flanked by Bolnisi style crosses at either side, while another example of this style of cross may be seen above the small window at the rear of the 11th-century chapel adjacent to S. Astvatsatsin. It is slightly different though, in that the cross stands on a stepped plinth. A single portal leads into the church, while a separate entry is utilized for the chapel. A semi-circular tympanum above the entry to S. Astvatsatsin contains a single-line inscription in Armenian and four Armenian-style crosses in bas-relief. Its altar is constructed of wood and is painted several different hues (reds, greens, blues, etc.).

The adjacent (south) 10th/11th-century Holy Redeemer chapel[4] is a simple building with a gable roof. It has two small, narrow windows; one at the front, and one at the rear. A smaller semi-circular tympanum rests above the door to the chapel, while two large khachkars sit in front. To the west of S. Astvatsatsin and near the chapel, are the lower walls of the church's gavit that now serve as a wall for a courtyard. The monastery's medieval cemetery sits to the east and also has several interesting khachkars and tombstones.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hasratyan, Murad. Մաքրավանք (Mak'ravank'). Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia. vol. vii. Yerevan: Armenian Academy of Sciences, 1981, pp. 370-371.
  2. Book: Rediscovering Armenia: an archaeological/touristic gazetteer and map set for the historical monuments of Armenia . Brady Kiesling, Raffi Kojian . Tigran Mets . 2001 . 39.
  3. Book: Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh . Nicholas Holding . Bradt Travel Guides . 2006 . 1-84162-163-3 . 142.
  4. Book: Holding, Deirdre. 2014 . Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh (Bradt Travel Guides). 4th. The Globe Pequot Press Inc.. Guilford, Conn.. 214–215. 978-1-84162-555-3.