KARNOWT / DIRAKLAR

Type: Single Nave Aisless church
Location: Overlooking the village of Karnowt in the neighborhood of
Leninakan.
Date: IV c.
Evidence For Date: Transverse and shapeless block dates to
paleo-christian times give evidence for the date of Karnowt. Architectural
edifice first formulated at Tekor and has its closest parallels in the VIth
century at Dvin and T'anahat. The existence of a southern portico and a
sepulchral slab of the same type as those found at Garni. The existence of
a chamber and porch form the foundation is common in the VIth century. A
baptistery, an artifact that was not in use until the high middle ages.
Evidence against the date show that the irregular shape and size of blocks
are identical to the type found at Agarak which conclusively dates back to
the IVth century. A new apse that was constructed on a square base common in pagan architecture. The author maintains that the walls built of the irregularly shaped stones are the original walls. The exterior walls make
structure date about 4th century.
Important Details: Along with all the other details the portical was
placed along the south side as historians and researchers found out. The
details of the church show that it is very wide with no transversal arches. It had a six-stepped crepidoma and a bell tower. The building materials were uncommon and the reverse funneling was on the steps for wall stability. Long massive blocks were used on the whole south side that do not form a proper step projecting slightly but not bonded on the wall.
State of Preservation: The church now is ruined.
Reconstructions: Reconstruction and renovation of the church
included the bowl of the apse restored in the IXth century. A wooden roof
replaced a vaulted one and a window pierced in the west front wall. The
church was restored in the 1940's.
Summary: Resembling the horseshoe apse of Tanahat, this aisleless church
stands tall toward the east on top of a hill overlooking the village of Karnowt. One of the best known paleo-christian buildings in Armenia. The
building connects theories of Paleo-Christian and Armenian architecture. The
collapse of the church has probably eliminated any trace of its original structure. The church itself was erected on a slope, which was contrary to
the original flat surface that single nave churches are originally built upon. The church in all is very unusual starting with its structure. The building material is uncommon and not the commonly used tufa that is resembled in Armenian churches. Overall this original structure was new to Armenians and therefore took more time for historians to study and make out the make up of the building.

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