St. Grigor Church of Aznaberd
Location: Chalkhangala (Az.) / Aznaberd (Arm.)
Destruction
Nestled in the center of the village of Aznaberd, St. Grigor Church was still standing in the late Soviet period. Historian Argam Ayvazyan reported that as of 1979 part of the roof had collapsed and there were cracks in the walls. On his return visit in 1983, he noted that the frescos on the southern wall, which were painted in the 18th century and restored in 1867, had fallen off. The basilica consisted of a nave and two aisles, pentagonal apse, and two vestries, with doorways on the western and southern facades (see plan below). Armenian inscriptions could be seen in the interior and on the southern and western facades. 1,2
The church is clearly visible in KH-9 Hexagon images from 1973 (see first swipe below) and 1980 (see Timeline). In an August 30, 2001 IKONOS image, the site appears to be in the process of being demolished. Parts of the western wall appear to still be extant along with parts of the foundation. Heaps of debris still litter the former church site. By 2011 (second swipe, right), the area had been cleaned and a garden planted.
Drag the swipe tool right to see the church in 1973; drag left to see the church in the process of being destroyed. Fragments of demolished walls and piles of debris are still visible.
Drag the swipe tool right to see the church in 2001 in the process of being razed; drag left to see the cleared site in 2011. All evidence of destruction has been removed and a garden planted on the former church site.
Geolocation
St. Grigor Church was located in the central part of Aznaberd. 1,2 The church's location is marked on the 1:42K scale Soviet topographic map of 1931. CHW confirmed the church's precise location using KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973.
Timeline
Construction
Founded in the 12th or 13th century; 1 rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century, according to an Armenian-language building inscription. 2
1931
The church is marked on the 1:42K scale Soviet topographic map of 1931. 3
1973
The church is visible on KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973. 4
1980
St. Grigor was captured again in a 1980 KH-9 Hexagon image. 5
2000
The former church site is marked on this map of Aznaberd village. 6
2001
Fragments of the church's foundation are still visible in the IKONOS satellite image at right from August 30, 2001. 7 The roof and walls have been razed, suggesting this image captured the destruction of the church in process.
2011
The last vestiges of the church's structure were destroyed by July 15, 2011. As can be seen in the WorldView-1 satellite image at right, a garden and new building have been constructed on the former church site. 8
Image Gallery
Images © Argam Ayvazyan Archive, used with permission.
References
1 Ayvazyan, Argam. Nakhijevani ISSH haykakan hushardzannery. Hamahavak tsutsak. Yerevan: Hayastan, 1986, p. 118.
2 Ayvazian, Argam. The Historical Monuments of Nakhichevan. Transl. Krikor H. Maksoudian. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990, p. 99.
3 Voenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie, XXXVIII-36 (Karabaglyar), 1:42,000, 1931.
4 KH-9 Hexagon, D3C1206-100170A019, July 29, 1973.
5 KH-9 Hexagon, DSC1216-100138A006, July 3, 1980.
6 Vardanyan, Artak. Aznaberd․ nakhijevanahayutyan verjin amrotsy. Yerevan: Nakhijevan, 2000, p. 8.
7 Maxar Technologies & East View Geospatial, August 30, 2001.
8 Maxar Technologies & Google Earth, July 15, 2011.
