St. Gevorg Church of Nakhichevan
Location: Nakhchivan
Destruction & Reuse
St. Gevorg Church of Nakhichevan was well preserved when historian Argam Ayvazyan documented the structure in the course of his fieldwork (1964-1987). The cruciform structure was topped with an elaborate dome, and decorative reliefs adorned the arches of the entryway and the windows. Armenian inscriptions existed in the interior and on the eastern facade. 1,2
The church can be clearly seen intact in a KH-9 Hexagon image from July 29, 1973 (swipe below, left). By March 12, 2005, the church has been removed and a large, new structure built in its place.
Drag the swipe tool right to see the church in 1973; drag left to see the new structure built at the site by 2005, after the church was destroyed.
Geolocation
St. Gevorg Church was located in the central part of Nakhchivan city. 1 The church's location is marked on the 1:50K scale and 1:10K scale Soviet topographic maps of 1977 and 1990, respectively. CHW confirmed the church's precise location using KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973.
Timeline
Construction
Built in 1869. 1,2
1973
The church is visible on KH-9 Hexagon satellite imagery dated July 29, 1973. 3
1977
The church is marked on the 1:50K scale Soviet topographic map of 1977. 4
1990
The church is marked on the 1:10K scale Soviet topographic map of 1990. 5
2005
As can be seen in the IKONOS image at right, the church had been destroyed by March 12, 2005, and a new large structure built in its place. 6
Image Gallery
Images © Argam Ayvazyan Archive and Research on Armenian Architecture (last photo), used with permission.
References
1 Ayvazyan, Argam. Nakhijevani ISSH haykakan hushardzannery. Hamahavak tsutsak. Yerevan: Hayastan, 1986, p. 113.
2 Ayvazian, Argam. The Historical Monuments of Nakhichevan. Transl. Krikor H. Maksoudian. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990, p. 92.
3 KH-9 Hexagon, D3C1206-100170A020, July 29, 1973.
4 Generalnyi shtab, J-38-31-B (Nakchichevan), 1:50,000, 1977.
5 Generalnyi shtab, J-38-31 (Nakhichevan), 1:10,000, 1990.
6 Maxar Technologies & East View Geospatial, March 12, 2005.
