DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0228
Chap, kit.]
LARGE CHURCH.
199
with the exception of the cupola, was perfect. The entrance
was at the west end, and on each side of it were numerous
inscriptions in the Armenian character, which, when deci-
phered, will throw light on the history of the place. Indeed,
there is hardly a building in Anni of any consequence which
is not covered with Armenian inscriptions. The interior of
the church consisted of one central and two side aisles; its
length from the semicircular bema to the entrance was 107
feet, and the width 66 feet. The style might be called
Byzantine, with a mixture of Saracenic; the round arches
are raised upon lofty pilasters, which give them a very
different character from the real Byzantine or low Saxon
arch. This style we found prevailing universally in Anni,
but in some instances with a greater variety of ornament
and sculpture, and gradually approaching the rich Arabic
or Moorish style. On each side of the bema, in which were
twelve niches, was a small dark apartment or vestry, with a
narrow staircase leading up to two similar rooms above.
The church was full of cattle, which had taken refuge there
from the mid-day heat.
A short distance to the west of the church was a high
minaret with a long Arabic inscription, and 100 yards
further south the remains of a large mosque, with its
minaret still standing. It was built on the edge of the
precipice overhanging the Arpa Chai, and was decidedly
Saracenic; the roof was supported by low columns with
flat capitals. The building was nearly square, one corner
only being filled up in order to support the minaret; and
°n the outside were inscriptions both in Arabic and Ar-
menian. At the south end of the town, near the apex of
the triangle, was an elevated rocky spot, which in a Greek
city would have been the Acropolis; here, however, we
°nly found the ruins of three or four small chapels on the
summit and sides of the hill, without any vestiges of its
e^er having been fortified. On its S.E. side was another
chapel in rich style and good preservation, with a conical
r°of, a form which prevailed in all the buildings where
LARGE CHURCH.
199
with the exception of the cupola, was perfect. The entrance
was at the west end, and on each side of it were numerous
inscriptions in the Armenian character, which, when deci-
phered, will throw light on the history of the place. Indeed,
there is hardly a building in Anni of any consequence which
is not covered with Armenian inscriptions. The interior of
the church consisted of one central and two side aisles; its
length from the semicircular bema to the entrance was 107
feet, and the width 66 feet. The style might be called
Byzantine, with a mixture of Saracenic; the round arches
are raised upon lofty pilasters, which give them a very
different character from the real Byzantine or low Saxon
arch. This style we found prevailing universally in Anni,
but in some instances with a greater variety of ornament
and sculpture, and gradually approaching the rich Arabic
or Moorish style. On each side of the bema, in which were
twelve niches, was a small dark apartment or vestry, with a
narrow staircase leading up to two similar rooms above.
The church was full of cattle, which had taken refuge there
from the mid-day heat.
A short distance to the west of the church was a high
minaret with a long Arabic inscription, and 100 yards
further south the remains of a large mosque, with its
minaret still standing. It was built on the edge of the
precipice overhanging the Arpa Chai, and was decidedly
Saracenic; the roof was supported by low columns with
flat capitals. The building was nearly square, one corner
only being filled up in order to support the minaret; and
°n the outside were inscriptions both in Arabic and Ar-
menian. At the south end of the town, near the apex of
the triangle, was an elevated rocky spot, which in a Greek
city would have been the Acropolis; here, however, we
°nly found the ruins of three or four small chapels on the
summit and sides of the hill, without any vestiges of its
e^er having been fortified. On its S.E. side was another
chapel in rich style and good preservation, with a conical
r°of, a form which prevailed in all the buildings where