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Caucasus - is a cradle of ancient
civilisations, created by people inhabited
this territory, which preserved rich material
and cultural legacy of ancient state Albania.
Azerbaijan is a heir of Caucasian Albania and
subsequent formations at its territory, and
Albanians are the ones of ancestors of
Azerbaijan nation. The most ancient Christian
church in Caucasus - is Albanian church Kish,
established in 1 -2 century A.D by apostle
Elysee in Sheki region, and also temples
Gandzasar and Amaras in Karabagh are still
remained uptoday at places where at present
live descendants of gunns, gels, alpnas, legs
and udins.
Albanian architecture of Karabagh.
Karabagh is the most beuatiful and plenty
land of Azerbaijan Republic. History of
Karabagh starts from its deep anciency - land
between two rivers Kura and Arax is one of
most ancient centres of civilisation. There
are a lot of facts which allow to suppose
that this territory together with areas of
the Meditteranean countries and Africa
included in zone of humanity's motherland,
that here also was a development of human
being, as biosocial and social creature. And
just here, in Azikh cave, were discovered the
most ancient signs of life and human's
activity. Owing to materials, discovered
discovered in this cave, we start our history
from very ancient period - age of ancient
stony century (paleolith), more than 1
million years before. In Azikh was discovered
a fragment of woman's jaw, lived
approximately 350-400 thousand years before,
what has a great significance. No doubt, that
creators of Azikh culture already had
mentality and developing speech, and also
some elements of spiritual culture. Azikh
human (azikhantrop) already knew what is the
fire, arithmetic, had some initial notions
about environment, at the base of which the
religion originates. We have a suffiecient
base to suppose, that azikhantrop has more
than 300 hundred years before cosmological
observations and etc. Karabakh's culture of
Bronze Age and early Iron Age is reflected in
funeral monuments. Monuments of this period
prove close contacts wit southern countries.
Bronze century brought many important
changes. Especially it is seen from labour
production increase. Develops half nomadic
stock-breeding , crop-growing, craft,
especially metallurgical production, ceramic
work and etc. Second half of II- beginning of
I thousand year B.C. - late Bronze Age and
beginning of Iron century at the territory of
Southern Caucusus, characterised by
prosperity of metallurgy of the region which
we are interested in, which stood in one
range with metallurgical centres of Ancient
East. This time of primitive society's decay
and transition to early class relations in
Karabagh zone. From number of most important
and very interesting funeral monuments can be
named Khojali, Archadzorski, Akhmakhinskiy
burial-mound grave, Karabulag necropolis and
others. War passes the same time together
with stock-breeding, crop-growing and craft
one of the main occupations of region's
population. More fast rates are developing
relations with Front Asia's countries. In
graves of this period of time are discovered
gold goods, obects made from mother-of-pearl
and elephant's ivory, glazed vessels,
cylindrical stamps, frozen beads, and at
last, famous agate bead with a name of
assirian kung Adadnerari, related, to the end
of XIV-beginning XIII century A.D. In the
beginning of I century B.C in south-western
surroundings of Karabagh comes a new
power-urarti. But they couldn't capture
Karabagh. They suppose, that western part of
Karabagh in urart sources was called
Urtekhe-Urtekhini. To be correctly
supposition about the fact that later name of
the zone - Arcakh comes from Urtekhe, then,
in spite of armenian authors' affirmations,
it is completely indisputable , that it (name
Arcakh) is not armenian, although because of
the fact that during this period and later on
there were no any armenians. In
midian-akhamenidian age power of midians, and
later Persians spreaded in South-Eastern
Trans-Caucasus, including Karabakh. Range of
circumstances allows to suppose, that this
picture leads to midian age. That is why it
is impossible not to agree with compilers of
«Historical Information» (Upper Karabagh,
Yerevan, 1988), that Arcakh, where lived
utis, was located in «complement of
Yerevandid Armeniya». For this fact they do
not have any reasons. There are also no any
facts to consider that even later (in IV
century B.C ) Karabagh zone was a part of
Armenia. If it would be so, in this case
persian satrap of Midiya Atropat wouldn't
have any possiblity to manage sakesins,
populated in the land between two rivers Kura
and Terter. And meanwhile it is know, that in
Gavgamel fight (last third IV century
B.C.)midians, whom managed Atropat, were
united «with kadusians, albans and
sakesins». Atropat and Atropatids controled
these regions, evidently, accoridng to
traditions and being political successors of
midian and persian rulers. History catches
Albanian tribes not only on the left coast of
Kura, but also at the territory of the right
coast. Speaking about ethnical population's
belonging of Central and Eastern
Trans-Caucasus in ancient age, it is
important to note, that alhtough the zone
during that period was out of written
sources, we have no facts, in accordance with
specialists' opinion, to think that before
north-eastern-caucasian languages in this
region were spreaded any other languages. For
the last time more insistantly and more
probably into north-eastern-caucasian
language family, which composed from four and
five branches, except khurrit, urart, and
also nakh-dagestan languages, include some
languages of Small Asia, Cyprus and Lemnos
islands and others. Therefore etrus is also
related here. There are some reasons to
relate this family kutiy language - ancient
population of Southern Azerbaijan and some
adjacent regions. Also to this family relate
the language of native population of
Caucasian Albania -Albanian, which usually
identificated with utiy (udiy) language.
Speaking about ethnolanguage belonging of
Albanians, it is necessary to note, that
ancient writers, describing them, mark their
beauty, high height, light hairs and grey
eyes. Two last features-distinctive
characteristics of ancient aborigen
population, so called caucausian type, widely
presented at present time in mountanious
regions of Caucausian isthmus. And only one
this feature allows to consider Albanians
native population - autokhtons of
South-Eastern Caucausus. All this mentioned
above confirmed by others, particularly,
archeological and language materials, and
also historical tradition, connecting
Albanians with utians - udians, speaking one
of north-eastern-caucasian languages.
Albanian tribes, as it is definitely testify
archeology's data, couldn't come from outside
not at the end of II, not beginning I
thousand B.C, when in areas of Trans-Caucasus
start establishing major cultur-ethnical
units, including, as we suppose, -
protoalbanian tribe union. It is important to
note, that archeological cultures of Central
and Eastern Trans-Caucases in age of late
Bronze and early Iron were very close to each
other and sharply distinguished about
synchronic culture of Western Trans-Caucasus.
All this is definitely signals establishment
of bases of tribes union at the base of part
of nakh-dagestan-khurrit tribes groups, about
origin of conturs of future Albanian unity of
tribes. Nothing confirms, that
khodjali-kedabek, nakhichevan, talysh-mugan,
kayakent-khorochoev cultures of Azerbaijan,
connection of which with cultures preceded
and consequent ages on the territory of
Albania is indisputable, were brought to
Azerbaijan or, that development of these
ethnocultural units on the territory of
Albania was stopped by processes of
migrations, natural phenomenon and etc. To
this north-eastern-caucasian languages family
also is related the language of native
population of Caucasian Albania, including
Garabaga-utiy (udiy), with which is
identificated the language of Albanians. As
we do not have written memorials, which can
consider Albanian, question about Albanian
language can be decided only with the aid of
indirect materials, data about uddins, uddin
language and some other materials. It is
undoubt, that modern udins, living in Kabalin
(before Kutkashen) region, are heirs of utis
-otens, about whom first informs Herodot,
according to his data, they were included in
XIV satrapiya of Akhemenid Power. Utis, as
their neighbours, miki (muki), come out to
historical arena in first quarter of V
century B.C. , participating in Kserx march
to Greece. Utiya area (Otena, Utik), located
on the right coast of Kura, on the territory
of Karabagh (approximately modern
Barda-Imishli zone up to Arax), was one of
most important areas of Caucasian Albania. No
doubt that utis of Herodot - it is one of
Albanian tribes (usually, as it was marked
out before identificated with Albanians)
utis-otens-uddins, lived in ancient time and
in middle ages in Utita and neighbour areas.
Also in period of middle ages the populate on
very significant territory. In Karabagh
uddins are testified in XIX century. At
present time this tribe is about 6-7 thousand
people live n Kabalin region. «Father of
Armenian History» Movses Khorenaci
considered utis as a tribe, comes from Aran -
legendary ancestor - eponim aloan, i.e.
Albanians. He wrote: «they say from
descendants of Aran origin tribes - utiyns,
gardmans, codeys and Gargar principality...»
It is very important, that historical
tradition, particularly armenian (and this
fact is very important!), co-ordinates modern
uddins with ancient Albanians, and uddins
themselves up to recent times remembered,
that according to origin - they are
Albanians. In known letter for the name of
Peter the First they wrote: «...we agvans
(i.e. Albanians. ) are uttis by nation.
Belonging of udins to dagestan group of
north-eastern-caucasian languages family at
present time is indisputable. In such a way
Albanian language should be related to called
language family, especially, that there are
enough facts testifying hypothesis about
uddin belonging of famous mingechaur
inscriptions, language of which can be only
Albanian - language of rulling tribe in
Albania. Thus, all mentioned above allows to
announce, that Albanians, speaking language
and dialects of north-eastern-caucasian
language family, people who spoke this
language populated from Nothern Caucasus and
till islands of Aegean sea are autokhons of
south-eastern Trans-Caucasus. It can not be
said about armenians and armenian language,
which could appear in areas of Trans-Caucasus
(until not Garabagh) not earlier the age of
expasionist wars of Artaxiy and Zariadriy,
i.e. after II century B.C. All importunate
affirmations of armenian nationalist
scientists of culture in different suits
about «autoakhton» of armenians and
armenian language in Trans-Caucasus do not
have any relation to the science and is
considered as falcification. Now it is known
that Armenia is not a motherland of armenian
ethnos. History catches armenian tribes far
away from Armenia. Authoritative scientists
(particularly I.M Dyakonov), suppose, that
ancient armenian nation turned out to Upper
Euphrates valley approximately II --first I
thousand B.C. For the short period of time
armenians, moved to wider territory, capture
it and assimilate population. Thus, in 11-1
B.C was created «Great Armenia». Armenian
Aggression couldn't be inperceptible by
Strabon, who wrote: «...Armenia, before was
a small country, increased by wars of
Artaksiy and Zariadriy...They together
widened their domains, reduced part of areas
of surrounded nations, and precisely: they
took away from midians (atropatens. --
editor) Caspiana, Favnitida and Basoropedu;
from ibers -- foothills of Pariadra, Khorzen
and Xerkxen, from kataons -- Akilisen and
area around Antitavra: and from sirians --
Taropitilu. So already at the dawn of their
history armenians acting according to their
ethical social-psychological character,
robbing their neighbors, conquering their
lands, and this evidently aggressive process
in spite of obvious facts armenian scientists
try to represent it as " unification of
armenian speaking areas" . Armenian expansion
in different periods spreaded around and to
some Trans-Caucasian areas. However Karabagh
in age of creation "Great Armenia" in II-I c
B.C was not conquered by armenians. And in
I-IV c "Great Armenia" couldn't lead afessive
politics, as it was itself in alternative
dependence now Rome now Parfia. Armenian in
the whole range of considerations couldn't be
, of course, autokhtons of Karabagh zone.
Last odontologist investigations once more
testify that as a fact of matter armenians on
the territory of Karabagh - an element
absolutely alien. The fact that armenians by
considerable mass moved to Karabagh in late
age, after completion of russian-iranian and
russian-turkish wars in 20-30 XIX c., is
testified by many written sources, and also
armenians themselves, it seems, up to recent
time didn't reject it, as in 1978 in
Mardakert was established monument in honor
of 150 anniversary installation of armenians
to this district of Azerbaijan. True, later
figure "150" was scraped off the monument.
That zone of Karabagh (right coast of Kura)
was conquered by armenians and was a
constituent part of Albanian state,
established approximately in III c B.C.
testify the words of armenian author Movses
Khorenani that Arap (legendary ancestor of
albans) inherited the whole Albanian plain
with its mountainous part ..., from river
Eraskh (i.e. Arax - Editor) till fortress
called Khnarakert (Astafa-Kazakh zone -
Editor) " and that from descendants of Arap
arised tribes - utis, gardmans, tsodeys and
Gargar princedom. From numerous tribes
mentioned above utis and tsavdeys -
undoubtedly, and gargars - almost undoubtedly
populated territory of Karabagh, on the right
coast of Kura. That's why affirmation of many
armenian scientists about the fact that
border of " Great Armenia" passed by Kura is
lie. Excluding accident attacks, and
possibly, temporary captures of any albanian
territories by Armenia, Albania I-IV c..,
south borders of which passed by river Kura,
owned by land between Kura and Arax. At the
end of antiquity Karabagh zone remained
ethnically and politically uti-albanian area
of independent Albanian state. Colonization
and armenization of population on this
territory - are late facts, which were
described by academicians I.A. Orbeli, S.T.
Yeremyan and other scientists. S.T. Yeremyan
wrote: "Great number of Christian monuments,
significant part of which related to before -
Arabic period, saved in armenisied part of
ancient Albania on the territories of ancient
albanian areas Artsakh (autonomous area of
Upper Karabagh and neighborly north-eastern
spurs of Maly Caucasus, including Shamshadil
and Idjivan districts of Armenian S.S.R) and
Utik, where at present time basically live
armenian population". Academician I.A. Orbeli
wrote plainly about capture by "armenian
feudals" areas of Upper Karabagh. Completely
indisputable, that present armenian speaking
population of Upper Karabagh, except those,
which were resettled here in XIX c - these
are no armenians but descendants of
armenisied albanian population. This truth
was well known to educated people already in
XIX c. V.L. Velichenko wrote on this fact:
"An exception was wrong called by armenians
citizens of Karabagh., confessing
armenian-grigorian faith... and armenisied
only three-four centuries ago". In political
attitude zone of Upper Karabakh in I-VI c was
indisputably under authority of albanian
Arshakids, and in VII-VIII c - great princes
Mikhraneeds. In the beginning of VIII c in
result of arabian conquer albanian princedom
fell. Tragically events of this period,
active participant of which was armenian
church, started progressive de-etisation of
albanian ethos and grigorianisation, and
later armenisation of part of population of
Upper Karabagh zone. But albanian spirit was
alive and thanks to this fact already in IX c
Albanian princedom particularly was
re-established and precisely on the territory
of Upper Karabagh. In XII-XIII c in zone of
Artsakh and Uti had been raising Khachen
princedom, which, as trully considered by
academician I.A. Orbeli , "was a part of
ancient Albania". Brilliant development of
this princedom, ruler of which was called
also "prince of Albania", "surroundings'
ruler of Albania", comes to the time of Hasan
Jalal (1215-1261). It was a time of albanian
renascence. Precisely in times of Hasan
Jalal's ruling was built majestic Gandzasar
monastery complex, later converted into
"patronal cathedral of Albania", which
armenians claim as armenian monument. It is
important that in official documents of XVIII
c were used such wordusages: "patriarch of
saint great Kantsesar (Gandzasar -Editor)
throne Agvan countries (Albanian - Editor)."
It is very interesting that armenian author
XVIII c Arakel Tavrizskiy names Karabagh
"Country of Agvaees" (i.e. albanians -
Editor). Ethical assimilation of
grigorianised and in definite measure of
armenisied population (that was a result of
when arabians ended with sovereignty of
Albania, and albanian church was under
authority of armenian) mountainous Karabagh
happened later. From all mentioned above
comes indisputable conclusion, that so called
armenians of Karabagh and properly
azerbaijanians (which are descendants of
albanian population) of North Azerbaijan are
half brothers. And those and others - are
completely undoubtedly former albanians and
already that is why armenians for the
territory of Upper Karabagh, where they moved
by great mass after first quarter XIX c., do
not have any rights. In age of middle ages
zone of Upper Karabagh was included into
azerbaijanian Karabagh (Ganja) beglyarbekstvo
(princedom). From middle of XVIII till
beginning of XIXc. on the territory of
Karabagh existed azerbaijanian Karabagh
khanate with suprematiya of
azerbaijanians-"moslems". Karabagh had been
joined to Russia not like armenian land, but
as "moslem" property, what was testified in
documents of those times. Creature in soviet
times of UKAA was planned in advance by
far-seeing armenian nationalists. This was a
bomb of slow action, installed in the heart
of azerbaijanian nation, tragically
consequences of which our nation experienced
repeatedly, and especially - last eight years
of undeclared war. Started from age of early
middle ages armenians not only try by
different tricks "to prove", that Karabagh -
is armenian land, but also make various
attempts to conquer these our long-standing
lands. Next attempt was done in the beginning
of 1988... Undeclared war started. Armenians
conquered not only territory of Upper
Karabagh, but a lot of adjacent to it lands.
Sacred war is going on. Armenians behave
themselves on conquered territories like real
robbers and bandits. Breaking regulations of
UNESCO, they barbarianly destroy our
monuments. It is enough to say that conquered
Shusha armenians destroyed a lot. They not
only destroyed monuments to Uzeir Gadjibekov,
Bul-Bul, Natavan, but brutally shooted these
monuments. These monuments were liberated
from captivity owing to georgians and
presently are in Art Museum. On the monuments
are shown traces of brutality ... traces of
numerous sub-machine guns and rifles bullets.
Wise, peacemaking politics of President G.A.
Aliyev allow to hope for soonest liberation
of all azerbaijanian territories from
armenian occupants and celebration of justice
and peace on Karabagh land, on the whole
territory of our republic. Truth is ours.
Upper Karabagh - long-standing azerbaijanian
land. Karabagh was and will be our land, in
spite of all efforts and intrigues of our
enemies. Monuments of Architecture Ancient
land of Karabagh is very important hearth of
Azerbaijan's civilization, where was
formatted monumental memorials of
architecture of great artistic and historical
value for different purposes. Creators of
these works of art, which were created in
trade-handicraft cities and settlements on
wide territory of the country, participated
in complicated process of architecture
formation of Middle East and by this way they
brought weighty contribution into the
treasury of world construction art. Monuments
of ancient construction art of Karabagh,
scrupulously and comprehensively studied
during last decades, showed that they have
significance in complicated
cultural-historical process and take
important place in architecture of
azerbaijanianian nation. Successfully taken
by scientists-historians, archeologists,
architectures great systematic works on
exposure, fixation and dimensions, deep study
and restoration, with consequent regular
publication of valuable results of these
works created a base, leaning on which it
will be necessary to continue scientific
research and widely, deeply, introducing into
range of monuments of national architectural
-construction culture of the past more new
masterpieces of our far ancestors - nameless
experts, working under command of talented
architectures. On the territory of Karabagh
region of Azerbaijan located great number of
monuments of moslem architecture and
Caucasian Albania. These - are fortresses,
palaces, mausoleums, mosques, monasteries,
temples, caravansaries, bath-houses, bridges
and people's habitable houses. (pic. 1) In
this work we will pay attention on unique
architectural monuments of Caucasian Albania
Karabagh - complexes of structure of Agopan
monastery in Lachin district, Khotavank
monastery in Kelbajar district, Amarass
monastery in Khodjavend district, monastery
of saint Elysee and Gandzasar monastery in
Agderen district of Azerbaijan. Complex of
Agoglan monastery. To the number of most
interesting culted structures related
significant on dimensions temple of
monasterial complex near river Agoglan in
Lachin district (pic.2, 3). Temple's
right-angled basilica has more significant
dimensions. Two ranges from eight square
supporting, columns-pylons divide internal
space into three sections. Central, having
four meters bay, section is twice more than
lateral. Its height is also significant. All
sections of praying hall blocked by arches of
cylindrical forms, carried out from
thoroughly cutted and durably brought to each
other stones. Three sectional in plan
building has a stretch proportion. Main
section with big half rounded apsid and altar
in bay and two narrow lateral sections with
right-angled official premises-side-chapels
located on both sides of altar niche. On big
half - compasses form strong aperture of
apsid located three narrow arched apertures,
marking compositional center of temple.
Monumental building of basilica, built from
compact local stone - gray basalt, harmonizes
with its severe environment beautiful itself
mountainous land. Smooth facade flatness of
building erupted in upper part by rarely
located narrow window openings, through which
illuminated internal space of the hall, with
single entry on the lateral saide of facade.
Symmetrically built balanced composition of
stepped form of facades cutted by different
sized light apertures - in center paired and
of significant size illuminating main section
and small - in two circles -- for lateral
sections. Well-proportioned refined rotunda
on thin columns, crowned by pyramid hipped
roofs, located on hipped roofs of temple,
what alives severe and expressive capacity of
culted building. Revetment of walls inside of
temple carried out from large roughly cutted
stones, laid into laying with wide opened
joints. This is explained by the fact that in
the past walls of temple carried plaster
cover, on the surface of which were carried
tematical by subjects polychromatic
paintings. This is testified by particularly
saved on the north wall fragments with fresco
paintings. Supporting pylon-columns and
archvolts of arches over them reveted by well
cutted large stony blocks. In upper parts of
hall's interior was used decorative carving
on the stone. Monastery on r. Agoglan is the
main construction of existing in the past of
monasteries complex with different purposes
by habited and economic structures, grouping
in yard's territory. Borders of monastery
were taken in stony strong walls with
existing arched aperture-entry. Presently
from these numerous constructions remained
only ruins. Monastery near r. Agoglap related
to IXc. About Agoglan monastery there are
works of M.Useynov, L. Bretanistskiy, A.
Salamzade and K. Mamedzade. Complex of
Khotavank monastery. One of the most ancient
monasteries complexes is Khotavank monastery,
located on the left coast of the river Terter
in Kelbajar region. Complex includes:
basilica, temple and chapel. Basilica is a
long hall without internal collumns. Eastern
part was completed by half rounded apsida.
Window openings of the temple has a form of
horse shoe (pic. 4, 5). On both sides of
altar apsida located rounded in the plan
vestries. Succeeded to find out, that they
were built significantly later, than temple
itself. Entry to these vestries leads from
altar apsid, which is met rarely. During the
research of the left vestry on its ceiling
was discovered writing of one of the abbots
of Khotavank monastery, lived in XIII c.
Monasteries complex badly saved, only in
relative safety we could see cathedral, built
by albanian ruler Oganes Khachenskiy. This
interesting creature of architectures of
Caucasian Albania is very distinguished from
culted architectural works of neighbored
nations. Cathedral done asymmetrically in
plan and in capacity-space construction. In
consequent centuries near basilica temple,
was raised a range of right-angled in plan
churches and chapels, owing to which raised
great culted complex, which became a
residence of albanian bishop and one of the
most important culted-instructive centers.
From X up to XV c. Khotavank becomes
Christian ecclesiastic centre of albanian
Khachen princedom. In period of governing
albanian ruler Vakhtank, son of Asan Jalal in
Khotavank, monastery complex is widening.
Here was activated coaching inn, library and
church, constructed in 1214 by Vakhtank's
wife Arzu-Khatun. Church was constructed for
the memory of her husband and two sons. Good
saved church is one of valuable monuments of
architecture of early middleaged Albania.
Church is not large, has two bas-reliefs: on
eastern side over the window painted up to
the waist prince and one saint - both of them
keeping the temple's model, and on southern
wall - two princes keeping the temple's model
as well. In first case we should see in the
picture husband of Arzu-Khatun with saint,
and in the second - her two sons. Discovered
ceramic goods during excavations of
south-eastern temple's foundation allows to
date it to VI-VII c. But further several
times there were carried out renovation and
repair works. About Khotavank complex there
are works of R. Geyushev, K. Mamedzade, D.
Akhundov Complex of Amarass monastery.
Complex of Amarass monastery is located in
settlement of Soye Khodjavend region. It
consists from church - basilica, underground
part, inhabited and economic constructions
and stony serfed fence. (pic. 6, 7). Church
in plan is right-angled. Internal space of
church is divided by four pylons, located by
two in a range, on three sections, and
central - is more wide. Central section from
eastern part ends with raised over the
ceiling by altar apsyda, crowned half cupola.
This is more higher section blocked by lancet
arch. Lateral sections, with adjacent to them
small premises, have usual cylindrical
arches. Facades of church reveted with well
worked stony blocks. Roof of the building -
is gable, and western butt-end crowned with
small six collumns belfry with tent pyramid
cover. Doorway is fixed in the western wall.
In 1970 during archeological research under
altar apsyda of the church was dicovered
underground premises (2x4m)*. It is blocked
with arch and level of the ceiling is located
at the depth of 5, 2 m from mark of church's
ceiling. Slope to underground part of the
church is laid by stony stairs, located from
both sides: on eastern part of the premises
there is a doorway. Sources inform about the
period of this temple's construction - IVc.
Territory of the church's complex is
surrounded from four sides by serfed fence,
which in plan has right-angled form and
strenghtened by angled towers. On the south
wall of the fortress located aperture with
half compasses arch. Internal yard of
fortress is divided into two parts. First is
- house - hold yard, where located service
premises and stable. Second part - is church
yard, where located a church and inhabited
houses. All inhabited and house-hold
constructions are adjacent to serf wall.
Their roofs give an opportunity to walk
easily by the whole parameter of the walls,
watching surroundings and in case of
necessity to fight with a help gun-slots,
located on all walls and angled towers. To
the roof lead opened stony stairs, located
near with angled towers. Archivolts of
inhabited and house-hold constructions are
laid from well cutted stones. External and
internal walls are done from chopped stones.
Date of complex's construction is related to
IX c. Later there were carried out renovation
works and present condition of the monument
is dated XIII c. Characteristics of Amarass
complex found a reflection in works of R.
Geyushev, K. Mamedzade, D. Akhundov. Complex
of St. Elysee's temple. Complex of St.
Elysee's temple is located in settlement
Magavuz of Agtseren region - on the left
coast of river Egyshe at the height of 2000 m
over the level of the sea. By a legend, the
temple was constructed in IV c in honor of
first preacher of Christianity in Albanina
Elysee. Presently existed complex dated to
XIV c. (pic 8). However archeological
excavations, carried out in 1970 near eastern
wall of the main temple, discovered many
ancient constructive remains and domestic
subjects. Complex is surrounded from all
sides by serf fence. Fortress has western and
eastern gates. Main entry is western gates -
from point of view of defence attracts a very
special attention. On the territory of
fortress located eighteen objects of
differrent purposes. This main temple,
chapels, two floors inhabited house,
house-hold premises and stables. Main temple
consists from two premises. First - is a
hall, which has in plan square form. Internal
space is divided by 2 columns and shelves
near the walls for three simalteneous
sections, and central is higher. Sections
blocked by cylindrical arch. Second premises
- prayer hall - has right-angled form.
Overhead cover is arched. Facades of temple
reveted by cutted stones. On the roof of
first premises is located a bell-tower.
Second relatively small building - church -
located on the right side of the main temple.
In plan it has a right-angled form, internal
space of which consists from right-angled in
plan hall and adjacent to it from eastern
part two apsyds. From the left and right side
of the temple located six chapels. Inhabited
house and one of house-holds premises located
in south-eastern corner, another in the
centre, and stables in north-eastern corner
of the fortress. Connection with right coast
territory could be established only with the
help of one bay stony bridge via river
Egyshe, ruins of which located at the
distance of one killometer from fortress.
Date of construcitve complex is related to
XIVc. About the complex of St. Elysee there
is data in works of R. Geyushev, K.
Mamedzade. Complex of Gandzasar monastery.
One of interesting culted constructions of
XIII c is Gandzasar monastery, located in
settlement Vanklu of Agderen region (pic.
9-11). Complex of Gandzasar monastery
consists of main construction - temple, bell
tower and fixed to it from western side a
range of additional constructions, which are
adjacent to serf walls from north side. In
initial sources construction of Gandzasar
complex is connected with the name of Khachen
prince Asan Jalal. Construction of the
monument started in 1216 and first
constructions were completed in 1238. However
it should be supposed that Asan Jalal had not
constructed, but just reconstructed already
existed albanian temple, possibly, of heathen
period. Temple was illuminated in 1240.
Vestibule was constructed by wife of Asan
Jalal Mamkan-Khatun. Temple's architecture is
cross-cupola composition, sources of which go
back to VIII-IX c. It is necessary to note,
that such planned composition is not met in
culted buildings of eastern countries in IX
c. In building's corners are located 2
elongated premises, connected by half rounded
apsyda. In lower corners of the building in 2
floors are located choirs. Inside of the
building by vertical rods stressed corners fo
undercupola space, which frame central part
of the temple. Arches of cross's branches
(from the side of undercupola space) have
lancet contour. Each spherical sail mounted
by two carved plates with reserved not
repeated ornaments (star, circle, square). In
upper part of each spherical sail, on the
plane, framed rod, painted high reliefs,
heads of saint animals - bull, sheep. Temple
inside is round and brough up of eight pairs
of thin semi-columns - plaits, passing to
hanging arches. External facades of Gandzasar
temple transmit its internal cross-cupola
composition. Building was put at five -
stepped socle, which gives to it not only
additional steady, but also compositional
expression. In architectural composition of
Gandzasar temple's facades very well used
plane arches, formed by relief of double half
rollers. Planes of walls of temple's north
and south facades decorated by plastic relief
identical by sizes of five arches. Over
middle arch there is strictly profiled big
cross. Undercupola drum of temple - 16 grains
and each grain ends with small
pediment-tongs. Accordingly to such
completion of drum pyramidal cover of cupola
got original folded-umbellate form. High drum
and its completing tent rise above the whole
building. Decoration of drum has a definite
sense content, which gives to it sculptural
pictures. Architecture of arch, leaned to
complex system of layer stalactites, is a
compositional kernel of vestibule. It should
be noticed the completion of composition and
perfection of architectural forms. Numerous
elements of diophysit character testify the
fact that temple is not Armenian but
Albanian. About Gandzasar monastery there are
works of R. Gsushev, A. Yakobson, K.
Mamedzade, A. Akhadov. Such is a brief
architectural characteristics of five
monuments of Caucasian Albanian, located on
the territory of Karabagh district of
Azerbaijan. It is known that Armenian
scientists try to prove by different ways
that Caucasian Albania and its whole
architecture is related to historical
Armenia. Their claims for Albanian lands are
deprived of any scientific foundation.
Architectural - planning and constructive
modes of monuments of Caucasian Albania
differ from architectural monuments of
Armenia. Distinctive feature of Albanian
culted constructions, and especially
monasteries and temples, is internal space -
in type of four arched composition, which
brings to cruciform in plan form. It is
necessary to note that cross-cupola
composition of temples first used in
architecture of Azerbaijan. Sources of this
composition go back to VIIIc. We also note
that cross-cupola composition gets its
further development not only in culted
constructions, but also in memorial monuments
of Azerbaijan. From other side, typical for
Albanian temples planning mode in the way of
four- and six columns three sectional
basilica is seldom met in architectural
monuments of Armenia. Typical way of
compositional mode in culted construction, as
in Moslem, and so in Albanian Christian
architecture is settlement, on main facade
sides, of monuments of open galleries. We can
give as an example "Juma Mosque" in Shemakha,
"Geokhar-Aga and The Lower Mosque" in Shusha,
"Ambarass Mosque" in Ordubad, "Zardabi"
Mosque, "Shakhsevanlar" and "Tatlar" in
Gandja, main temple of Khotavank complex and
so on. Albanian architects of Azerbaijan
worked out its own constructive and
constructional methods, achieved of great
perfectness in artistic carving on stone. It
is known from considered by us beautiful
monuments of Karabagh region of Azerbaijan.
Tags : azerbaijan history baku daskesen albania hacbulaq ancient |
