Gavazan — Attraction in Syunik Province

The pendulous column (called Gavazan Siun) is a monument dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It is located to the south of the Cathedral. It comprises a column about eight meters tall crowned with a khachkar-type cross. The column has been dated to the 10th century; the cross is no earlier than the 18th century but its form may be based on an earlier example.

The key purpose of the column is to alert of minor earth tremors and thus giving early warning signals about possible earthquakes. The column returns to its vertical position after it moves....

This is the Gavazan Column which is located inside the Tatev Monastery. It's was built around 1100 years ago. It was an early seismograph which tilted when the ground shook from tremors caused by earthquakes (or approaching armies). That's hard to believe they had this and modern seismograph didn't pop up till the...

Interestin...