Karvajar (Kalbajar) province

DADIVANK (MONASTERY OF ST. DAD)

The Cathedral

This is the real masterpiece of the complex. Compositionally it represents a domed hall - a form rather well spread and developed in Armenian architecture of other regions, but not in Artsakh, with four sacristies by the comers. External dimensions are 12.30x10.60 m. and the height is 18.50 m. With the exception of the northern facade other walls both internal (on the plaster) and external (on the stone) were covered by inscriptions. Most of them were engraved, though there were also inscriptions made by red and white pigments. The building inscription of 1214 on the southern facade was rather extended. It follows that before the construction of the Cathedral there had already been many structures in the area. The architecture and interior decoration were described by a number of investigators (the most exhaustive description was provided by M. Hasratian). It seems, the measurements conducted by our expeditions would be a relevant addition to the materials already available in scientific circulation.

Cathedral seen from northwest and northeast. Details of the drum and the tympanum of the western entrance.

Cathedral. Northern entrance. Details of the entrance. Rosette of the fragmented and displaced khachkar inside the church.
Khachkar of the XII-XIII Cent discovered during the excavations under the northern wall of the church in 1977.

Cathedral. The low relief of the founders holding the model of the church on the southern and eastern facades. Details of the western, southern and northern facades.

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