Iconem in Armenia : Monasteries During a mission led in collaboration with French artist Pascal Conv
Iconem in Armenia : Monasteries During a mission led in collaboration with French artist Pascal Convert, Iconem traveled to Armenia to digitize various historical and religious sites. Among them, three monasteries : Haghpat, Geghard and Hayravank - which we’ll travel to today.Haghpat Monastery The monastic complex of Haghpat is located in the Northern region of Lori Marz, in Armenia. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries, the functional role, location and stylistic characteristics were taken into consideration during the construction of each new building. As a result, a complex was built, one which is in harmony with the picturesque landscape. The monastery is a symbol of Armenian religious architecture between the 10th and 13th centuries. This unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the region. Geghard Monastery The Monastery of Geghard, surrounded by rock-cut churches and tombs, is a remarkable example of medieval Armenian religious architecture. Like many sites we visited in Armenia, the complex is set into a natural landscape, in the Azat Valley. The monastery of Geghard is a renowned ecclesiastical and cultural centre of medieval Armenia. In addition to the religious buildings, the complex is composed of a school, a scriptorium, a library and residences for clergymen. The Monastery was also renowned for the relics housed there. Among them was the spear that wounded Christ on the Cross and which was allegedly brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus. The spear was kept in the Monastery for 500 years and gave its name to the site : Geghardavank (the Monastery of the Spear). Hayravank MonasteryThe monastic complex of Hayravank overlooks the Sevan Lake, in the North-Western region of Gegharkunik. Built between the 9th and the 12th century, the Monastery underwent many restoration operations throughout centuries and kept functioning until the Soviet era.The site is renown for its surroundings, which include a small cemetery - composed of khachkars and gravestones - and Bronze Age artefacts. It takes its name from a myth stating that the Monastery was connected to the nearby Spitak Berd Castle through an underground tunnel : (Ayrivank means “cave”).Thank you for traveling to Armenia with us - stay tuned for more info on sites we digitized! Here are some additional images taken from Pascal Convert’s work, which will be exhibited on October 2019, at the Eric Dupont gallery : https://bit.ly/2FiU5li -- source link