Zvartnots Cathedral

Name: Zvartnots
Monument type: Temple
Region: Armavir Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Zvartnots Cathedral

Other nomination: St. Grigor Church, Nersesakert Church (Church built by Nerses)

Monument type: Temple

Region: Armavir

Community: Vagharshapat

Residence: Vagharshapat town (Etcmiadzin, In 1945–1995), Zvartnots district

Location: Left side of the Yerevan-Etchmiadzin highway, 15 km west of Yerevan.

Preservation: The ruins of the temple have been restored up to the arches of the first floor.

Coordinates: 40°09’35. N 44°20’12. E

Altitude: 880 m

Era and chronology: Early medieval monument, 641-661

Where Timeless Beauty Meets Ancient Legends

As you walk amidst the enchanting ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, the walls around you whisper secrets of a bygone era. The echo of history reverberates through the air, captivating every visitor with tales of architectural prowess, spiritual significance, and timeless legends.

This UNESCO World Heritage gem is a testament to the ingenuity of early medieval craftsmanship and groundbreaking architectural innovation. In a world where each stone has a story to tell, Zvartnots Cathedral stands as a magnificent chapter in the history of Armenian heritage.
So get ready to embark on a journey through time as you explore the awe-inspiring beauty and rich history of this remarkable site.

Tucked away in the heart of Armenia’s Armavir region, the Zvartnots Cathedral, also known as St. Grigor Church or Nersesakert Church, is an architectural masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time and space. With its rich history, intricate design, and remarkable legends, Zvartnots Cathedral has earned its place as an enduring symbol of Armenian heritage.

The Zvartnots Cathedral, an early medieval monument constructed between 641 and 661, is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its era. Zvartnots reflects a groundbreaking architectural achievement, both in terms of its structure and its interior and exterior ornamentation. Notably, in 2000, UNESCO recognized the significance of Zvartnots, enlisting it in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

The exterior of the cathedral showcases a three-level, progressively diminishing three-sided cylindrical structure, forming a harmonious and unified composition. The central plan consists of a cross inscribed within a circular hall boasting a diameter of 35.75 meters, set upon a foundation of seven steps and a three-step parapet. Six columns, adorned with intricate basket-weave capitals, support the cathedral’s three cross arms, connected by graceful arches. These capitals bear Greek initials, preserving the memory of Nerses Shinogh.

The upper sanctuary of the cathedral once sparkled with frescoes and mosaics, remnants of which were uncovered during excavations. The inner wall is circular, while the outer one adopts a polygonal design. The dome-bearing system is held together by four massive main gables located at the crossing points of the altars. These gables are interconnected by arches, which then lead to four solitary large columns crowned with winged eagle capitals. These magnificent columns, known as eagle-headed columns, serve as the foundation for the temple’s second floor.

The cathedral’s five entrances open into the circular hall, which is divided into two sections by a nave, creating an attic where round windows provide an ethereal illumination. The eastern part is believed to house stairs leading to the attic, and a stone pulpit stands in the vicinity. Stone steps lead to a baptismal font located in the center of the temple.

According to some interpretations, the structure may have housed the relics of Gregory the Illuminator, while others suggest it served as a sundial. The sculpture zone surrounding the first-level alcove showcases grapevines and pomegranate branches. The corners of the vaults display 32 bas-reliefs depicting spiritual and secular figures, nine of which have endured. These figures are believed to represent the builders of the temple, with one possibly being the architect, Johan, or Prince Tiridates, according to varying opinions.

Despite its awe-inspiring presence, the Zvartnots Cathedral faced a formidable challenge. In 970-973, a powerful earthquake rocked the region, causing the cathedral’s collapse. However, its legacy endures, as its ruins have been painstakingly restored up to the arches of the first floor, allowing visitors to witness its grandeur.

Zvartnots Cathedral is not alone in its historical significance. The site also hosts the Catholicos Palace of Zvartnots, an early medieval secular architectural gem. The palace includes a southern wing with nine rooms, five of which are thought to have served as living quarters. Nearby stands the Zvartnots bathroom, a unique structure with heated walls and gables.

Zvartnots Cathedral is not merely a stone and mortar structure; it is woven into the tapestry of Armenian legends. One tale suggests that it was built on the hallowed ground where King Tiridates and Gregory the Illuminator met, while another legend relates that even the Byzantine Emperor Constantine II was so impressed by Zvartnots that he intended to replicate it in his own capital, only to be thwarted by fate.

FACTS

❈ The Zvartnots Cathedral, also known as St. Grigor Church or Nersesakert Church, is an early medieval Armenian monument constructed between 641 and 661, celebrated for its architectural innovation and intricate design.

❈ This architectural masterpiece is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a symbol of Armenian heritage, known for its unique three-level cylindrical structure and circular hall adorned with Greek-initialled basket-weave capitals.

❈ The cathedral’s upper sanctuary once held frescoes and mosaics, and its distinctive design includes five entrances, an attic with round windows for illumination, and an area believed to house relics of Gregory the Illuminator or possibly serving as a sundial.

❈ Zvartnots Cathedral, though collapsed due to an earthquake in 970-973, has been partially restored, allowing visitors to witness its grandeur, and is complemented by the Catholicos Palace of Zvartnots and the Zvartnots bathroom.

❈ Legends surround Zvartnots Cathedral, with tales of its location being where King Tiridates and Gregory the Illuminator met, and even the Byzantine Emperor Constantine II’s admiration, who considered replicating it in his capital.

🔍 Research history

Almost all historians of different eras paid attention to the Zvartnots Cathedral. Hovhannes Draskhanakertsi reports about Gregory the Illuminator’s relics being buried in the Zvartnots Cathedral.
In the last quarter of the XIX century, Zvartnots was in the center of attention of the scientific community. About 60 years before the excavations, Hovhannes Shahkhatunyants described the ruins of the temple, which, according to him, the locals characterized as deceased, fallen, bowed down. For a long time, the stones of the ruined temple were used as building materials by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. Some of the architectural details of the temple, in particular the pillars bearing the name of Nerses the Catholicos, appear in Etchmiatsin, where they were seen by the professor of architecture Jozef Strzygowski in 1890; the latter concludes that the stones were brought from Zvartnots. Enthused over these findings, the young clergyman Mesrop Ter-Movsisyan (later the famous historian, philologist Magisteros) undertook the excavations in the area of the north-western facade of the temple in 1893. However, not having the appropriate permission, he soon had to stop the work. The further excavations of Zvartnots and the focus of attention of the wide scientific circles on the monument are connected with the name of Khachik Dadyan, a clergyman of Etchmiadzin. By the order of the Catholicos of All Armenians and with the permission of the Imperial Archaeological Commission of Russia, Khachik Dadyan undertook the excavation and cleaning works of Zvartnots in May, 1900. (1900-1907). Materials related to the early history of Armenia were already discovered in June. The cuneiform inscription of King Rusa II of Van was discovered. Toros Toramanian, a devotee of Armenian architecture, began to cooperate with Khachik Reverend Dadyan since 1904, who provided the first scientific restoration of the temple. He was already working in Ani, enjoying academician N. Mar’s support and trust. Since June, 2003 it has been operating within the “Service for the Preservation of Historical Environment and Cultural Museum-reservations” SNCO under the name of “Zvartnots”. By the decision of the ASSR government, the natural historical environment of the VII century was restored in the territory of the monument in 1957, the area was landscaped, a natural historical environment and a park complex were created. According to the architect L. Sadoyan’s project, the colonnades of the altars, the eagle-headed pillars, the lower part of the walls of the temple first level were restored in 1980-90s. The southern arch and the western porch were restored according to the project of architect M. Danielyan in 2000-2003. The museum building construction was completed in 2003. Now the museum has 3 exhibition halls: two are permanent and one is for organizing temporary exhibitions

🧱 Archaeological description

Architecture
The Cathedral was externally a three-level, successively decreasing three-sided cylindrical volume building with a unified, harmonious composition. According to the plan composition, it is a cross inscribed in a circular hall with a diameter of 35.75 m, rising on a plinth consisting of seven steps and a three-step parapet. Its three cross arms are formed by six columns crowned with basket-weave capitals. They are connected by arches. The Greek initials of the name Nerses Shinogh, located around the cross, have been preserved on the capitals, in the medallions.
The upper tabernacle of the temple was decorated with frescoes and mosaics, the details of which were found during excavations. The wall of the hall surrounding the inscribed quadrilateral is circular on the inside and polygonal on the outside. The four massive main gables located at the crossing points of the altars and the four arches and sails connecting them form the monolithic dome-bearing system. The main pediments are connected by vaulted arches to four single large columns crowned with winged eagle capitals placed in front of them. The eagle-headed columns are also connected by arches; they supported the ring-shaped base of the wall of the temple second floor with the cross-sections of the altars. The five porches of the temple from the north, north-west, west, south-west and south, open into a circular hall with the total height divided into two sections by a nave, creating an attic. Round windows were placed at the top of this section. According to the majority of researchers’ opinion, the stairs leading to the attic were located in the rectangular structure in the eastern part of the temple. There is a platform with a certain height from the floor adjacent to the eastern altar of the temple; the stone pulpit is placed here. Stone steps placed on the three sides led to the platform. The so-called baptismal font is in front of the central staircase, in the center of the temple. S. Mnatsakanyan’s opinion is different regarding the functional significance of the structure. He assumes that Gregory the Illuminator’s relics were buried here. A sundial was installed in the southern part of the structure. The sculptured zone surrounding the upper part of the first-level alcove is decorated with sculptures of grape vines and pomegranate branches. There were 32 bas-reliefs of spiritual and secular figures in the corners of the vaults, nine of which have been preserved. According to B. Arakelyan, they depict the builders of the temple. One of them reads the name Johan, who is believed to be the architect of the temple. According to another opinion, it depicts Prince Tiridates (Z. Hakobyan, 2016, 142). There are also opinions that the figures of the high sculptures represent spiritual and secular persons who had direct participation in the temple construction and/or supported it in some way.
The Cathedral was destroyed in 970-973, as a result of the strong earthquake occurred in the Talin-Aruch settlements.
The Catholicos Palace of Zvartnots is one of the classical structures of early medieval secular architecture. The palace buildings are located south-west of the temple. The southern wing with nine rooms is a quadrangular structure flanked by the northern, southern and western colonnades. All rooms are tiled. According to V. Harutyunyan, five of the nine rooms were residential.
Zvartnots bathroom: It is one of the unique structures dating back to the Early Middle Ages in Armenia. It is located in the eastern part of the temple’s southern buildings. Unfortunately, the bath underwent major transformations in the later centuries and was probably used for economic purposes. Zvartnots bathroom is original in the sense that not only the floor, but also the walls and gables have a heating surface.
The medieval threshing floor of Zvartnots is located on the south-eastern side of the complex; it was partially opened in the 1930s and completely excavated in 1958. The structure is rectangular divided into two equal parts by a corridor: in the southern side there are four platforms – the peripheral ones are relatively large. The platforms are paved with river stones and plastered with lime mortar.

🔨 Findings

As a result of the excavations, pottery vessels of different eras, metal tools, inscriptions and pictographs were found

🌍 Significance

Zvartnots was a new word not only in terms of architectural structure, but also in its exterior and interior decoration. According to the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Zvartnots was registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
Traditional legends
Catholicos Nerses built the Zvartnots Cathedral where King Tiridates and Gregory the Illuminater met. According to another legend-information reported by the historian Movses Kaghankatvatsi, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine II (641-668) also participated in the consecration of Zvartnots. The historian states that the emperor was so impressed with the structure that he ordered the builders to go with him to Byzantium to build a similar church in his capital, but the master died on the way.

📚 Sources

Literature

B. Arakelyan 1949, Armenian sculptures in IV-VII centuries, Yerevan, Armenian SSR Academy of the Sciences ed., 128 pages.
T. Toramanian 1942, Materials of the History of Armenian Architecture, vol. 1, Yerevan, ARMFANI publishing house, 403 pages.
Z. Hakobyan 2016, Armenian Early Medieval Sculpture (4th-7th centuries), Yerevan, YSU, 170 pages.
T. Marutyan 1963, Zvartnots and Zvartnots-type temples, Yerevan, Haypethrat, 185 pages.
S. Mnatsakanyan 1971, Zvartnots and similar monuments, Yerevan, USSR Academy of Sciences, 259 pages.
Shakhatunyants H. 1842, Signature of the Catholic Church of Etchmiadzin and the five provinces of Ararat, Etchmiadzin volume one, 293 pages.
A. Kalantar 2007, Excavations of Ancient Vagharshapat, Armenia. from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, Collection of Countries, Yerevan, “Science”, pp. 317-359.
Cuneo P. 1988, Armenian architecture, IV-XIX centuries, T. 1, De Luca Editore.

List of monuments
“Zvartnots” historical and cultural reserve-museum

📷 Gallery

General plan of the temple and related structures (Cuneo P. 1988, p. 102).
The southern porch of the temple (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The Greek initials of Nerses Shinogh’s name (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The sculptural knight (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Cuneiform inscription of King Rusa II of Van (duplicate) (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The sundial of the southern wall (duplicate) (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Sculptures of the pomegranate branches (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Grape vine sculptures (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The Catholicos Palace (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
One of the square wells of threshing floor (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
One of the circular wells of threshing floor (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Zvartnots teddy bear sculpture near the grape vine (photo by D. Miridjanyan).
The sculpture of the clergyman named Yohan (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Two of the discovered wine jars, each with a capacity of 500 liters (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Fragments of the mosaic of the temple’s upper tabernacle, displayed in the Zvartnots Museum (photo by D. Miridjanyan).
Several samples of glazed pottery found as a result of excavations (photo by D. Mirijanyan).