Door and Portal of Surb Astvatsatsin Church - Khor Virap Monastery (Ararat province - Armenia)
N 39° 52.701 E 044° 34.571
38S E 463758 N 4414341
The depicted wooden door and stone portal, both artistically carved in traditional old-Armenian style, create the western main entrance of the Church of Holy Mother of God (Surb Astvatsatsin) in Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia.
Waymark Code: WMGD4G
Location: Armenia
Date Posted: 02/17/2013
Views: 7
The depicted wooden door and stone portal, both artistically carved in traditional old-Armenian style, create the western main entrance of the Church of Holy Mother of God (Surb Astvatsatsin) in Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia.
The church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), the central church of medieval Khor Virap Monastery, was built in second half of the 17th century. Surb Astvatsatsin is built on top of a rock dome, sloping edges of which jut out from the courtyard paving. The church is unique in that instead of the domed cruciform with four corner annexes typical for medieval Armenian churches, the building is instead a domed long hall with two annexes, one on either side of the apse. The western entry is protected by a 17th century bell tower, itself topped with an eight column bell tower topped by a conical roof.
Khor Virap Monastery, one of ancient spiritual centres of Armenian Apostolic Church, is thanks to its location on the foot of Ararat also symbol of this oldest Christian country.