Address - marz of Syunik, region of Sisyan, to the south of the Vaghatin village.
Complex - Vorotnavank.
Monument - St. Karapet church.
Date of construction - 1006.
Type - triple-altar, cupola-centered.
Material - basalt stone, lime, sand.
Masonry - smooth surface "Midis".
Brief historical-architectural essay.
The monastery complex consists of triple-altar, cupola-centered St Karapet church and the hall adjoining it at the west, of the vaulted church and the gavit adjoining it at the west, of the hall at the southern part with the vaulted church at its south-western side, of the buildings with right-angled planning at its northern side, and, at the south-western side of the above mentioned buildings, of the auxiliary constructions along the complex wall. The complex was built in the left gorge of the Vorotan river, on the valley, situated on the right side of the present Sisyan -.... freeway. It was surrounded by the high stone wall.
The oldest building of the complex is the vaulted church, dedicated to Grigor the Enlightener. According to St Orbelyan, it was founded by Grigor the Enlightener, and the preliminary construction was reconstructed by father Stepanos. In 1000 princess Shahandukht of Syunik built St Stepanos Apostle vaulted church, the gavit, the hall and other buildings,, and founded the unity, ruled by certain Stepanos.
St Karapet church was built by the son of princess Shahaagdakfat, prince Sevada. in 1006. The forged, semi-smooth inner wails of the church wore plastered and ornamented by the frescos. The remains of them were preserved on the fragment of the plaster inside the northern attar until the last reconstruction works.
In XIII—XIV centuries the churches were reconstructed.
Due to the destructive earthquake of 1931, the majority of the constructions were either completely or partially destroyed Jn St Karapet church only the northern altar with the part of the vaulted covering and the rest size with the altitude of 2.5 — 3 m from the ground have been saved.
In 1983-1988 the reconstruction plan of the complex was implemented. The churches, the gavit and the halls have been reconstructed St Karapet church was reconstructed on the covering level.
Explanation of the restoration works.
The restoration works of St Karapet church of Vorotnavank bepas in 1989, and, with some breaks, were completed in 1999. The church is mostly restored only the slabs of the roof coverings, partially the floor slabs of the hail, and, in other parts, some small works should be done.
Presently, 1-2 rows of the coverings of the foundation of the pyramidal dome with conic surface are built Due to the destructive influence of the nature, the solution of the second raw should be thoroughly studied, and once the slightest destruction noticed, the coverings have to be replaced and rebuilt.
The present phase of the construction waits provides full restoration of the pyramidal cupola of the church dome, completion of the works on the protruded coverings of the semi-circular pyramidal dome, making and placing of the basalt "sphere" and the iron wrought cross.
The size of the above mentioned works:
- Taking to pieces the heavy wooden shuttering - 21.0 m2
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- New masonry of the circle protruded basalt coverings — 543 m2 /according to the estimate, the rest is provided for the pyramidal dome 50.3 m2
- New masonry of the coverings with destroyed solution — 4.0 m2 2 x 3.14 x 3.0 x 0 7 x 30% = 3.96 / if needed/
- Making the solution with light slag-concrete—4.71 m3 1/3 x 3.14 x l.5x 1.5x2.0 = 4.71
- Pouring with complicated solution - 7.6 m3 50.3x0.15 = 7.6
- Placing of the 0-50 mm iron pipe- 3.0 running meter
/the details of the cross making are given in the construction project/
- New masonry ofthe basalt "sphere" -1.12 m2
- Making and placing of the wrought steel cross
- Earthing of the cross
- Carrying away the construction refuse from the territory
The plans
AC—1 - Title list
2 - Drum and dome /western facade/
3 - Drum and dome /northem facade/
4 - Section ofthe drum and the dome
5 - Planning of the "sphere"
6 - Planning of the cross
