NOTE: All photographs were taken by George Aghjayan and any reuse should give accreditation to this website and Mr. Aghjayan.
The Armenian churches photographed only represent a small portion of those that exist. The photographs of churches and other Armenian cultural sites have been taken over a period of almost 20 years although the majority are from numerous trips since 2011. Tragically, many of these sites are under constant duress from looters. The damage done compromises the structures and desecrates what remains of our cultural heritage. In many of the photographs, you will see holes around the pillars and columns as well as throughout the sanctuaries. That there is no gold to be found does not stop the criminals that destroy in their quest. The true gem is the structures themselves and the destruction must stop to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy and, hopefully, one day use these testaments to the Armenian presence on the land of their birth.
My objective is not to supply a full academic treatment of each site, instead I am attempting to continue a timeline of available photographic evidence. I can recommend two sources for further research into the damage that has been done over the years. Jean Thierry was a giant in documenting Armenian monasteries and churches. He wrote extensively in the Revue des Études Arméniennes and his book "Monuments Arméniens du Vaspurakan" [Paris : Libr. orientaliste Paul Geuthner, 1989] is an indispensable contribution. The other source I wish to mention is a series of hundreds of microfiche in 7 volumes on Armenian architecture published by Renselaer Polytechnic Institute under the leadership of Vazken L. Parsegian. Within these 7 volumes are thousands of photographs, plans, historical summaries and bibliographies. More information on the project as well as scans of some of the photographs can be found at http://www.lib.rpi.edu/dept/library/html/ArmArch/. I am sure there are other important and valuable sources, both on individual sites as well as entire regions, but my intention is not to supply an exhaustive list and these two are excellent places to start for those wishing to do more research as well as to see the changes that have taken place over time.
Below are links to the photographs of the individual sites which can also be accessed through the menu above. On the maps page, you can find a detailed map which includes the exact locations of each of these churches and in some case the satellite imagery is of sufficient resolution to allow for identification of the structure.
The Armenian churches photographed only represent a small portion of those that exist. The photographs of churches and other Armenian cultural sites have been taken over a period of almost 20 years although the majority are from numerous trips since 2011. Tragically, many of these sites are under constant duress from looters. The damage done compromises the structures and desecrates what remains of our cultural heritage. In many of the photographs, you will see holes around the pillars and columns as well as throughout the sanctuaries. That there is no gold to be found does not stop the criminals that destroy in their quest. The true gem is the structures themselves and the destruction must stop to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy and, hopefully, one day use these testaments to the Armenian presence on the land of their birth.
My objective is not to supply a full academic treatment of each site, instead I am attempting to continue a timeline of available photographic evidence. I can recommend two sources for further research into the damage that has been done over the years. Jean Thierry was a giant in documenting Armenian monasteries and churches. He wrote extensively in the Revue des Études Arméniennes and his book "Monuments Arméniens du Vaspurakan" [Paris : Libr. orientaliste Paul Geuthner, 1989] is an indispensable contribution. The other source I wish to mention is a series of hundreds of microfiche in 7 volumes on Armenian architecture published by Renselaer Polytechnic Institute under the leadership of Vazken L. Parsegian. Within these 7 volumes are thousands of photographs, plans, historical summaries and bibliographies. More information on the project as well as scans of some of the photographs can be found at http://www.lib.rpi.edu/dept/library/html/ArmArch/. I am sure there are other important and valuable sources, both on individual sites as well as entire regions, but my intention is not to supply an exhaustive list and these two are excellent places to start for those wishing to do more research as well as to see the changes that have taken place over time.
Below are links to the photographs of the individual sites which can also be accessed through the menu above. On the maps page, you can find a detailed map which includes the exact locations of each of these churches and in some case the satellite imagery is of sufficient resolution to allow for identification of the structure.
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Sp. David vank of Abrank
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Bitlis/Mush region
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Dersim region
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Diyarbekir/Chungush region
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Kharpert/Palu region
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Lake Van Islands
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Moks region
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Shadakh region
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Southern Shore of Lake Van
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Van City to Iran border
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