DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43337#0335
Chapter One.
The Historical
Context and Dating
of the Wall Paintings
The Akhtala Monastery stands in the gorge of the River
Debed not far from the town of Lori, one of the ancient
centres of northern Armenia. In this area, which borders
on Georgia and bore the name of Tashir-Dzoraget, the Ar-
menian and Georgian traditions historically entwined33. At
different times the region was part of the Kingdom of Geor-
gia but it remained a stronghold of Armenian culture. Not
far from Akhtala are such famous Monophysite monaster-
ies as Haghbat, Sanahin and Odsun. The strong Chalcedo-
nian sympathies of the area clashed with the most conser-
vative aspects of the Armenian Church which, in times of
increased danger, adopted an uncompromising attitude to
people of other confessions. This situation became acute in
the late 12th and 13th centuries when the region was ruled
by two brothers, the Monophysite Zakare and the Chal-
cedonian Ivane Mkhargrdzeli of the princely house of the
Zakharids34.
Today the Akhtala Monastery is a half-ruined architec-
tural ensemble on the flat top of a high cliff, at the foot of
which can be seen an old disused mine. The inaccessibility
of the spot is enhanced by the powerful fortified walls and
the monastery gate with its tower. The fortress first appeared
in the century. It then formed part of the defence system
of the Kjurikid kingdom, guarding the approaches in the riv-
er gorge35. Inside the fortress there are two other buildings
The Historical
Context and Dating
of the Wall Paintings
The Akhtala Monastery stands in the gorge of the River
Debed not far from the town of Lori, one of the ancient
centres of northern Armenia. In this area, which borders
on Georgia and bore the name of Tashir-Dzoraget, the Ar-
menian and Georgian traditions historically entwined33. At
different times the region was part of the Kingdom of Geor-
gia but it remained a stronghold of Armenian culture. Not
far from Akhtala are such famous Monophysite monaster-
ies as Haghbat, Sanahin and Odsun. The strong Chalcedo-
nian sympathies of the area clashed with the most conser-
vative aspects of the Armenian Church which, in times of
increased danger, adopted an uncompromising attitude to
people of other confessions. This situation became acute in
the late 12th and 13th centuries when the region was ruled
by two brothers, the Monophysite Zakare and the Chal-
cedonian Ivane Mkhargrdzeli of the princely house of the
Zakharids34.
Today the Akhtala Monastery is a half-ruined architec-
tural ensemble on the flat top of a high cliff, at the foot of
which can be seen an old disused mine. The inaccessibility
of the spot is enhanced by the powerful fortified walls and
the monastery gate with its tower. The fortress first appeared
in the century. It then formed part of the defence system
of the Kjurikid kingdom, guarding the approaches in the riv-
er gorge35. Inside the fortress there are two other buildings