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Church of Holy Virgin in Areni

 
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Built in 1321, during the tenure of Abbot Hovhannes, the church of Areni is embellished inside and outside with a series of high reliefs and ornate architectural motifs. The effigy of the Virgin Mary, carved on the tympanum over the west entrance, is a veritable masterpiece. The architecture as well as the carvings are the outstanding achievements of Momik.

The village of Areni (1264, formerly called Arpa) is famous for its wine, much of which is produced in Getap further down the road. Visible to the right of the main road is the Astvatzatzin (Mother of God, the Holy Virgin) Church, dating to 1321, with interesting tombstones outside. There are ruins of the medieval mansion of Tarsayich Orbelian in the valley and, reportedly, remains of a cyclopean fort south east of the village on the edge of gorge and a 13th century bridge on the Arpa River, built by Bishop Sargis (1265-1287). Further along the gorge toward Arpa, on a hill on the south rim of the gorge, is the ruined 13th century fort of Ertij. In Areni was found in 1981 an altar with a Greek inscription of AD 163 dedicating it to the Olympian Goddess on behalf of a Roman officer, Aemilius Ovalis, of the 15th Legion Apollinaris.

Source: Rediscovering Armenia Guidebook.
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