Ptghnavank — Attraction in Ptghni

Ptghni Cathedral/Ptghnavank.

Probably built in the seventh century as the cathedral Church of the Amatuni family, Ptghni Cathedral is huge and ruinous. Built as a domed basilica (similar to Talin and Aruch). The north façade is largely intact, and the south façade is partially so. While the dome has long since collapsed, one of the church’s structural arches remains. It is notable for its detailed decorative carvings depicting saints and hunting scenes around the windows, and a recurring motif of grapes and wine jugs throughout the architecture. There is a brief inscription naming the Amatuni embedded in one of the window frames.

I had a wonderful time wandering around the ruins of the church. The surviving arch is spectacular, if a bit terrifying when you are standing under it. Some of the village children were playing football near the church, and seemed rather amused to see a tourist with cameras wandering about (a nearby fenced-in dog was not...

The church is a domed single-nave basilica type completed in the 6th or 7th century. Presently, the only surviving parts of the church are most of the north wall, part of the south wall with one of the four impost arches of the dome, and some traces of the vaulting. The cupola and ceiling vaults, drum, and dome have...

The Ptghavank Church is one of the most important representatives of the domed hall type of church. The exact date of foundation of the temple isn't known. The examination of historical records and the architectural form of the construction give some reason to believe it...