MULTI-LINGUAL INFORMATION PANELS AND ROAD DIRECTION SIGNS INSTALLED ON THE TERRITORY OF ARENI – TRCHUNNERI CAVERN, ST ASTVATSATSIN CHURCH
ArmInfo
2009-11-09 11:49:00
ArmInfo. VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems OJSC and
the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project (AMAP) announced today the
installation of multi-language information panels on the territory
of Areni – Trchunneri Cavern, St Astvatsatsin church (Noravank Canyon
entrance), the company’s press release says.
Areni is on the Arpa River, where it begins its descent into the
Nakhichevan Plains. Some believe Areni was founded in the time of
Genesis by Noah and his sons, who tilled the first grape vines.
Excavations have found a number of Bronze, Iron and Hellenistic
artifacts, including several large clay pots used in the production
of wine.
In 1321 the St Astvatsatsin church was commissioned by Archbishop
Hovhannes Orbel. It was designed by the architect, sculptor and
miniaturist Momik (1250?-1333/9), who, brought from Kilikia (Cilicia)
to Gladzor, had immediate impact with his exquisite 1302- 1304
miniatures, "Entombment" and "Angel Appearing to Holy Women" ("the
Gospel of War"). The monument is located on a slope on the Arpa River.
This Karst Cavern (Karst Caverns are made from tens of thousands
of years of dripping mineral water into limestone crevices)
consists of three halls (rooms, galleries), the first two of which
are interconnected through passageways. The total area of the cave
surface is close to 500 square meters.
The information contained on the panels was prepared by the staff
of the AMAP, and approved by the Ministry of Culture, International
Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)-Armenia, and the Armenian
Apostolic Church.
AMAP receives major sponsorship from VivaCell-MTS and is also supported
by the Honorary Consul of Italy and by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) through its Competitive Armenia
Private Sector (CAPS) program.
The protection of cultural values and culture itself is everyone’s
duty – this is the main principle of the organizers.