CIRANOWOR / TSIRANAVOR

Type: Three aisled basilica
Location: Astarak, Armenia
Date: V-VI c.
Evidence for date: Sahinian considers it to be a 5th to 6th century structure, but there are traces of an earlier 5th century structure in the constructional details (Sahinian, 1955). No foundation inscription, probably during the reign of Nerses of Ashtarak (540-557).
Important details: Horseshoe apse flanked by two rectangular chambers contained within a rectilinear wall. The roof of the central nave was supported by three pairs of T-shaped piers, which was characteristic of 5th century Armenian architecture. Hidden apse, two side chambers, two no functioning pilasters.
State of preservation: Ruins, exterior walls and apse, no roof.
Reconstruction:
Summary: In the 17th century the church was fortified by doubling the north and west walls. Apparently the south facade was also rebuilt. The church was ruined in 1815. Restoration work, undertaken in 1963, (Hovhannisian, 1978) revealed walls, piers, arches, fragments of vaults, and a Xac'k'ar. At present, only the exterior walls, the apse area, two of the massive southern piers, and the south aisle are preserved. Near the west end, there are traces of the beginnings of the central vault.

Ciranawor is one of the several examples of Armenian basilicas with three aisles. Evidence indicating different construction dates for parts of the church include the two pilasters preserved on the north side (which do not correspond to those on the south wall), as well as the arches of the nave, and the archaic T-shaped piers.

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