Church of Mijin Ankuzik/Anzur

Location: Orta Anzyr (Az.) / Mijin Ankuzik (Arm.)

Destruction

Little is known about the Church of Mijin Ankuzik, because it was already in ruins when historian Argam Ayvazyan surveyed it during his fieldwork in Nakhchivan (1964-1987), along with the surrounding village. 1,2 

Although most of the ruins of the village remain, the church was targeted for destruction. The remaining structure of the church is visible in a July 29, 1973, KH-9 Hexagon image. But by November 11, 2009, the church had been erased. The site bears clear scars of earthmoving even as the other ruins of the village were left untouched.

Drag the swipe tool right to see the church in 1973; drag left to see the site in 2009 after the church was erased.

Geolocation

The Church of Mijin Ankuzik/Anzur was located in the western part of the abandoned Mijin Ankuzik village. 1  The church's location is marked on the 1:50K scale Soviet topographic map of 1936. In the maps of later periods, the area of the church is marked as ruins because of its condition. CHW confirmed the church's precise location using KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973, along with a photograph of the church and recent satellite imagery.

Timeline

Construction

Renovated in the 17th century. 1 

1936

The church is marked on the 1:50K scale Soviet topographic map of 1936. 3 

1973

The church is visible on KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973. 4 

2009

The church was destroyed by November 11, 2009. As can be seen in the QuickBird satellite image at right, the former church site lies vacant and the earth bears signs of scouring. 5 

Image Gallery

Image © Argam Ayvazyan Archive, used with permission.

References

 1  Ayvazyan, Argam. Nakhijevani ISSH haykakan hushardzannery. Hamahavak tsutsak. Yerevan: Hayastan, 1986, p. 80.

 2  Ayvazyan, Argam. The Historical Monuments of Nakhichevan. Transl. Krikor H. Maksoudian. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990, p. 72.

 3  Upravlenie voennykh topografov RKKA, J-38-32-B (Arafsa), 1:50,000, 1936.

 4  KH-9 Hexagon, D3C1206-100170A020, July 29, 1973.

 5  Maxar Technologies & East View Geospatial, November 11, 2009.

©CHW

2022

Drag the swipe tool right to see the church in 1973; drag left to see the site in 2009 after the church was erased.