In his book “Discoveries among the ruins of Nineveh and Babylon : with travels in Armenia, Kurdistan, and the desert…” published in 1859 Sir Austen Henry Layard recounts his discoveries in Asia Minor and Middle east. I would like to share with you here a few notable passages regarding Armenia accompanied with illustrations from his book. Armenian influence...
Animated Film about the Brilliant Architect Momik [TRAILER]
A full-length animated movie is being created in Armenia about the genius, 13th-14th century, architect Momik. All of the artwork is created with aquarelle (watercolors) painted on a blank canvas by one artist Hayk Sayadian who also wrote the script, directs, animates and does voice-overs in the film. Hayk describes his endeavor: “This is my canvas, I’m an artist, and I...
Armenian Architects of Istanbul: Online Exhibition
The main gate of Ä°stanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace was designed by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan. (Photo: Mehmet Yaman) The Turkish Museum of Architecture has recently opened an online exhibition of structures in modern Turkey created by Armenian architects during the Ottoman era. The website describes the Armenian contribution to architectural development of Istanbul as follows: “Armenian...
Noravank Monastery
Noravank (meaning “New Monastery”) is a 13th-century Armenian monastery, located 122km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu river. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs surrounding the monastery. Noravank was founded in 1205 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot of Vahanavank and became the residence of the Orbelian princes. The architect Siranes and the miniature painter and...
Tatev Monastery
Since I recently watched The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , I would like to make a post inspired by the beautiful scenery of the movie. With only one exception namely; this being a real place. The Tatev Monastery is an 8th-century monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in Syunik...
Early Christian Armenian Church – The 4th c. Yererouk Basilica
The Yererouk basilica is one of the earliest surviving Christian monuments in Armenia. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on August 25, 1995. The Basilica is located on the eastern banks of the River Arax, facing the City of Ani, in the Shirak Province of Greater Armenia. It has a very...
Ancient Armenian Churches
A selection of beautify displayed Armenians churches.
