City of Ani

Type: Domed Three-Nave Basilica

Location:

Date: Xth - XIth c

Evidence for date:

Important details:

State of preservation:

Reconstruction:

Summary: The church of the Mother of God stands in the center of the city, it was visible from all points. The church is the work of the famous architect Trdat between 989 and 1001. It is a large triple-nave domed basilica the result of a fusion between basilica and central plan.

The now fallen cupola was supported by four large pillars and large, slightly ogival arches. The exterior walls do not express the volumes and space of the interior but they are given a vertical articulation by a series of small blind arcades carried on tall half-columns. This rhythm is interrupted by a taller and larger arch corresponding to the central portion of the church. Two deep triangular niches are cut not only into the apse but also into the large walls, that correspond to the cupola and the internal projections of the wall.

The building which lacks both drum and cupola is badly damaged at the entrances and on the north-western angle as well.

Bibliography:
Bross 1861 monog
Alich 1881 64-74
Alich 1890 109-112
Eprik 1900 178-207
Lynch 1901 I, 371-373
Rivo 1914 226-234
Strz 1918 184 e segg. 514 e segg, 590 e segg, 814 e segg
Toesc 1927 483-484
Torom 1942 323-352
Torom 1948 42, 48, 176-186, 257-260
Hovh 1951 33-59
Harut 1951 53
Sahin 1955 166-175
Benev 1958 144
Thier 1960 monog.
Harut 1964 58-59
Vrou 1964 monog.
Kraut 1965 234-235
Orbeli 1966 I 43-41
Sark 1966 234-236, 241
AMA 1968 108
Der Ner 1969 109-110
Khatch 1974 17-20
Harouth (MA) 1975 125-129
Der Ners 1977-8 101-103
Cueno 1977 28-39
AA: Pasegian 1980 77-79
AA 1981 37-38

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