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Pagan temple at Garni, 1st century AC
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Basilica, Ereruk 6th century
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St. John's Church at Sisian 7th century
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St. Hripsime Church at Echmiadzin 7th
century AC
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Church of the Holy Saviour at Ani 11th
century
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The Cathedral at Echmiadzin 4-17th century
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Church of the Holy Seal at Haghpat 10th
century
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Airivank Monastery at Geghard 13th century
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Noravank Monastery12th century
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Haghartzin Monastery137th century
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Khachkar 11th century
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Two khachkars from Aparank 12th century
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National Opera House 1930s
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National Parliament House 1930s
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Armenian architecture, a particularly rich part of the Armenian heritage,
is widely recognized as a unique contribution to international architecture.
The tradition of architectural engineering has ancient origins on
the Armenian highlands.
During the Urartian period of Armenian history (9th through 6th
centuries B.C.), existing traditions were developed and perfected.
The Urartians were noted for their high standards in city building
(Ainili, Tushpa, Argishti, Erebuni,), palatial complexes and richness
of interior decoration. Urban architectural traditions, as well
as other forms of art in pre-Christian Armenia, were developed further
under the influence of ancient Hellenistic and Roman art. The temple
of Garni is the only pagan monument existent in Armenia.
Armenia entered a new phase of architectural development with the
adoption of Christianity as state religion in 301 A.C. City building
and other forms of architecture entered a new and long-lasting developmental
phase, while persevering older traditions.
In the early Christian period in Armenia (5th through
7th centuries), church architecture proceeded with the creation
of various basilical domed houses. Armenian architecture carved
its national style with the construction of the cathedrals of Echmiadzin,
Ererouk, Hripsime, Zvartnots, and Geghard monastery.
During the 9th through 14th centuries, Armenian architecture
proceeded on the same developments path and crated new masterpieces:
the monasteries of Amberd,Tatev, Aghtamar, Marmarashen, Sanahin,
Haghpat (9th through 11 centuries), s, Haghartsin, Goshavank, Magaravank,
Ohanavank, Harichavank and Noravank (12th through 14th centuries).
A unique manifestation of Armenian medieval national art is comprised
by the monuments called khachkars or cross stones which were used
widely in Armenia. There are found in Armenia prehistoric monoliths
which had ceremonial significance in the pagan religion.
Following the conversion to Christianity, the wooden cross-symbol
of the new faith was erected in the various shrines in Armenia.
The earliest attempts to replace the wooden cross with a stone cross
date back to the period between 4th and 7th centuries. The cross
stones were used for a variety of purposes: to mark military victory,
to commemorate events of historic significance, to dedicate the
conclusion of the construction of churches, fountains, bridges and
other structures.
Following the Sovietization of Armenia in 1920, two architectural
directions competed for dominance: the national and the modern.
This dual track of architecture produced various phases of Armenian
architecture, even during the short Soviet period. In Armenia today
one can easily see the differences in style between the national;
the Government Buildings of Republic Square, the State Opera House,
the Matenadaran, the Genocide Monument, and the modern: the Youth
Palace, the Sports complex, the Ararat movie theater, and the Zvartnots
Airport.
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