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{{Short description|Vestibular feature of Mediaeval Armenian monastic architecture}}
{{Short description|Vestibular feature of Mediaeval Armenian monastic architecture}}
{{other|Gavit (surname)}}
{{other|Gavit (surname)}}
[[File:Geghard gavit-IMG 2564.JPG|thumb|right|Gavit of [[Geghard Monastery]] in Armenia (UNESCO World Heritage Site)]]
[[File:Geghard gavit-IMG 2564.JPG|thumb|right|Gavit of [[Geghard Monastery]] in Armenia (UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dated 1215-1225, has a ''[[muqarnas]]'' vault.]]
A '''''gavit''''' (Armenian {{lang|hy|գավիթ}}) or ''zhamatun'' (Armenian: {{lang|hy|ժամատուն "žamatun"}}) is often contiguous to the west of a church in a Medieval [[Armenia]]n monastery. It served as [[narthex]] (entrance to the church), mausoleum and assembly room, somewhat like the [[narthex]] or lite of a [[Byzantine church]].<ref>{{cite book |page=84 |title=The Caucasian knot: the history & geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh |author1=[[Levon Chorbajian]] |author2=[[Patrick Donabédian]] |author3=[[Claude Mutafian]] |publisher=Zed Books |year=1994 |ISBN=1-85649-288-5}}</ref> As an architectural element, the gavit was distinct from the church, and built afterwards.<ref name="OG"/> Its first known instance is at the [[Horomos Monastery]], dated to 1038, when it was already called "žamatun".<ref name="EV">{{cite journal |last1=Vardanyan |first1=Edda |title=The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit‘ Structures in Armenien Architecture |journal=Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz |date=1 January 2015 |page=207 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42320635/The_%C5%BDamatun_of_Ho%E1%B9%99omos_and_the_%C5%BDamatun_Gawit_Structures_in_Armenien_Architecture}}</ref><ref name="OG">{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |pages=145-146 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992}}</ref> The term "gavit" started to replaced this term from 1181, when it first appears at the [[Sanahin Monastery]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vardanyan |first1=Edda |title=The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit‘ Structures in Armenien Architecture |journal=Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz |date=1 January 2015 |page=208 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42320635/The_%C5%BDamatun_of_Ho%E1%B9%99omos_and_the_%C5%BDamatun_Gawit_Structures_in_Armenien_Architecture}}</ref>
A '''''gavit''''' (Armenian {{lang|hy|գավիթ}}) or ''zhamatun'' (Armenian: {{lang|hy|ժամատուն "žamatun"}}) is often contiguous to the west of a church in a Medieval [[Armenia]]n monastery. It served as [[narthex]] (entrance to the church), mausoleum and assembly room, somewhat like the [[narthex]] or lite of a [[Byzantine church]].<ref>{{cite book |page=84 |title=The Caucasian knot: the history & geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh |author1=[[Levon Chorbajian]] |author2=[[Patrick Donabédian]] |author3=[[Claude Mutafian]] |publisher=Zed Books |year=1994 |ISBN=1-85649-288-5}}</ref> As an architectural element, the gavit was distinct from the church, and built afterwards.<ref name="OG"/> Its first known instance is at the [[Horomos Monastery]], dated to 1038, when it was already called "žamatun".<ref name="EV">{{cite journal |last1=Vardanyan |first1=Edda |title=The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit‘ Structures in Armenien Architecture |journal=Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz |date=1 January 2015 |page=207 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42320635/The_%C5%BDamatun_of_Ho%E1%B9%99omos_and_the_%C5%BDamatun_Gawit_Structures_in_Armenien_Architecture}}</ref><ref name="OG">{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |pages=145-146 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992}}</ref> The term "gavit" started to replaced this term from 1181, when it first appears at the [[Sanahin Monastery]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vardanyan |first1=Edda |title=The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit‘ Structures in Armenien Architecture |journal=Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz |date=1 January 2015 |page=208 |url=https://www.academia.edu/42320635/The_%C5%BDamatun_of_Ho%E1%B9%99omos_and_the_%C5%BDamatun_Gawit_Structures_in_Armenien_Architecture}}</ref>


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==Structure==
==Structure==
The earliest style of ''gavit'' consists of an oblong vault supported by double arches, with an ''erdik'' (lantern or [[Oculus (architecture)|oculus]]) center decorated with ''muqarnas'' stalactite designs.<ref name="AG">{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |page=145 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992 |quote=lts. Above the square central space was a complex muqarnas vault, measuring just over 5 m on each side, with a central erdik or oculus, which may have originally been covered by a colonnated canopy.}}</ref> This early type of ''muqarnas'' vault used cut stone in a way similar to that of [[Seljuk architecture]], different from the typical Armenian vault construction, which used thin stoen facing on mortared rubble.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |page=151 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992 |quote=Working similarly with cut stone, the Seljuq muqarnas provide a close technical comparison to Armenian construction. It is worth noting that the corbelled construction of the Armenian muqarnas vaults are technically and structurally closer to the Seljuq examples than they are to typical Armenian vault construction, which had a thin stone facing on a mortared rubble.}}</ref> This form was replaced by a square room with four columns, divided into nine sections with a dome in the center. The last evolution consists of a ''gavit'' without columns and with arched ceilings.
The earliest style of ''gavit'' consists of an oblong vault supported by double arches, with an ''erdik'' (lantern or [[Oculus (architecture)|oculus]]) center, and adorned with eight decorated slabs, as seen in the earliest known gavit at [[Horomos]] dated 1038.<ref name="EV"/><ref name="OG"/> In later types the vault would often be decorated with ''[[muqarnas]]'' stalactite designs.<ref name="AG">{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |page=145 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992 |quote=lts. Above the square central space was a complex muqarnas vault, measuring just over 5 m on each side, with a central erdik or oculus, which may have originally been covered by a colonnated canopy.}}</ref> This early type of ''muqarnas'' vault used cut stone in a way similar to that of [[Seljuk architecture]], different from the typical Armenian vault construction, which used thin stoen facing on mortared rubble.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghazarian |first1=Armen |last2=Ousterhout |first2=Robert |title=A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages |journal=Muqarnas |date=2001 |volume=18 |page=151 |doi=10.2307/1523305 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1523305 |issn=0732-2992 |quote=Working similarly with cut stone, the Seljuq muqarnas provide a close technical comparison to Armenian construction. It is worth noting that the corbelled construction of the Armenian muqarnas vaults are technically and structurally closer to the Seljuq examples than they are to typical Armenian vault construction, which had a thin stone facing on a mortared rubble.}}</ref> This form was replaced by a square room with four columns, divided into nine sections with a dome in the center. The last evolution consists of a ''gavit'' without columns and with arched ceilings.


On the west side of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in the [[Sanahin Monastery]] complex, the ''gavit'' built in 1181 has four tall free-standing internal pillars supporting arches. The pillars and their bases are elaborately decorated. In the same complex, the ''gavit'' of the Mother of God church is a three-nave hall with lower arches and less elaborate decorations on the pillars.<ref>{{cite book |title=Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh |author=Nicholas Holding |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |year=2006 |ISBN=1-84162-163-3 |page=161}}</ref>
On the west side of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in the [[Sanahin Monastery]] complex, the ''gavit'' built in 1181 has four tall free-standing internal pillars supporting arches. The pillars and their bases are elaborately decorated. In the same complex, the ''gavit'' of the Mother of God church is a three-nave hall with lower arches and less elaborate decorations on the pillars.<ref>{{cite book |title=Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh |author=Nicholas Holding |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |year=2006 |ISBN=1-84162-163-3 |page=161}}</ref>
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Horomos Monastery 26.jpg|The first known zhamatun is from [[Horomos]], dated 1038. Decorated slabs.<ref name="EV"/><ref name="OG"/>
Image:Sanahin Mare de Deu gavit 2.jpg|''Gavit'' in the first style, [[Sanahin]], ''Sourp Astvatsatsin''
Image:Sanahin Salvador gavit 1.jpg|''Gavit'' in the second style, Sanahin, ''Sourp Amenakrpitch''
File:Monasterio de Sanahin, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 44-46 HDR.jpg|''Gavit'' in the first style, [[Sanahin Monastery|Sanahin]], ''Sourp Astvatsatsin'', 1211 (no vault)
⚫
File:Ani_Surp_Arak'elots_-_Holy_Apostles_church_South_narthex_3555.jpg|Gavit in [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuk]] style, at the [[Church of the Holy Apostles (Ani)|Church of the Holy Apostles]] in [[Ani]] (after 1031, before 1215)
⚫
Image:Hovhannavank23.jpg|''Gavit'' in the second style, [[Hovhannavank]]
File:Oratoire de l'Eglise de Kierghart.jpg|Gavit of [[Geghard Monastery]]
File:Gavit of Katoghike Church, Geghard monastery (Geghardavank), Kotayk, Armenia.jpg|Gavit of [[Geghard Monastery]] (1215-1225, ''[[muqarnas]]'' vault).
File:Սանահինի վանք 12.jpg|''Gavit'' in the second style, [[Sanahin Monastery|Sanahin]], ''Sourp Amenakrpitch'' (undecorated vault)
⚫
File:Ani_Surp_Arak'elots_-_Holy_Apostles_church_South_narthex_3555.jpg|Gavit in [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuk]] style, at the [[Church of the Holy Apostles (Ani)|Church of the Holy Apostles]] in [[Ani]]
⚫
Image:Hovhannavank23.jpg|''Gavit'' in the second style, [[Hovhannavank]], 1250
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 15:54, 3 April 2024

For other uses, see Gavit (surname).
Gavit of Geghard Monastery in Armenia (UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dated 1215-1225, has a muqarnas vault.

A gavit (Armenian գավիթ) or zhamatun (Armenian: ժամատուն "žamatun") is often contiguous to the west of a church in a Medieval Armenian monastery. It served as narthex (entrance to the church), mausoleum and assembly room, somewhat like the narthex or lite of a Byzantine church.[1] As an architectural element, the gavit was distinct from the church, and built afterwards.[2] Its first known instance is at the Horomos Monastery, dated to 1038, when it was already called "žamatun".[3][2] The term "gavit" started to replaced this term from 1181, when it first appears at the Sanahin Monastery.[4]

History

The gavit, the distinctive Armenian style of narthex, appeared in the tenth and eleventh centuries.[5] The first were located in the south of the Armenia in the region of Syunik. The type of construction changed during the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, as found in the monasteries of Saghmosavank of Haritchavank, or Hovhannavank Monastery. They changed again in the late thirteenth century as can be seen in monasteries such as Gandzasar, and gradually ceased to be built in the late Middle Ages.

The general structure of the gavit, with its nine-bayed plan is typical of the nine-bayed plan of mosques from the Abassid period onward, which can be seen from Spain to Central Asia.[6]

Structure

The earliest style of gavit consists of an oblong vault supported by double arches, with an erdik (lantern or oculus) center, and adorned with eight decorated slabs, as seen in the earliest known gavit at Horomos dated 1038.[3][2] In later types the vault would often be decorated with muqarnas stalactite designs.[7] This early type of muqarnas vault used cut stone in a way similar to that of Seljuk architecture, different from the typical Armenian vault construction, which used thin stoen facing on mortared rubble.[8] This form was replaced by a square room with four columns, divided into nine sections with a dome in the center. The last evolution consists of a gavit without columns and with arched ceilings.

On the west side of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in the Sanahin Monastery complex, the gavit built in 1181 has four tall free-standing internal pillars supporting arches. The pillars and their bases are elaborately decorated. In the same complex, the gavit of the Mother of God church is a three-nave hall with lower arches and less elaborate decorations on the pillars.[9]

References

  1. ^ Levon Chorbajian; Patrick Donabédian; Claude Mutafian (1994). The Caucasian knot: the history & geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh. Zed Books. p. 84. ISBN 1-85649-288-5.
  2. ^ a b c d Ghazarian, Armen; Ousterhout, Robert (2001). "A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages". Muqarnas. 18: 145–146. doi:10.2307/1523305. ISSN 0732-2992.
  3. ^ a b c Vardanyan, Edda (1 January 2015). "The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit' Structures in Armenien Architecture". Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz: 207.
  4. ^ Vardanyan, Edda (1 January 2015). "The Žamatun of Hoṙomos and the Žamatun/Gawit' Structures in Armenien Architecture". Hoṙomos Monastery: Art and History, edited by Edda Vardanyan, Paris : ACHCByz: 208.
  5. ^ Medieval Armenian architecture: constructions of race and nation Christina Maranci – 2001 "Unlike Strzygowski, who stressed the importance of race and nation in the formation of architecture, ... Another structure at Ani also provided Baltrusaitis with an ogive — the narthex or gavit' located at the south side of the church."
  6. ^ Ghazarian, Armen; Ousterhout, Robert (2001). "A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages". Muqarnas. 18: 146. doi:10.2307/1523305. ISSN 0732-2992. The common nine-bayed plan of the gavit calls to mind the typical nine-bayed mosque plan that spread through-out the Islamic world from Central Asia to Spain after the Abbasid era; at the same time, the domed, nine-bayed design was common for the naos of both Byzantine and Armenian church.
  7. ^ Ghazarian, Armen; Ousterhout, Robert (2001). "A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages". Muqarnas. 18: 145. doi:10.2307/1523305. ISSN 0732-2992. lts. Above the square central space was a complex muqarnas vault, measuring just over 5 m on each side, with a central erdik or oculus, which may have originally been covered by a colonnated canopy.
  8. ^ Ghazarian, Armen; Ousterhout, Robert (2001). "A Muqarnas Drawing from Thirteenth-Century Armenia and the Use of Architectural Drawings during the Middle Ages". Muqarnas. 18: 151. doi:10.2307/1523305. ISSN 0732-2992. Working similarly with cut stone, the Seljuq muqarnas provide a close technical comparison to Armenian construction. It is worth noting that the corbelled construction of the Armenian muqarnas vaults are technically and structurally closer to the Seljuq examples than they are to typical Armenian vault construction, which had a thin stone facing on a mortared rubble.
  9. ^ Nicholas Holding (2006). Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 161. ISBN 1-84162-163-3.
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