NoraduzNoraduz - one of the few settlements of the «ashkharh» (province) retains its name from the ancient times. Here in the XVI century was the residence of the Armenian Meliks (princes). In the center of the village the church St. Astvatsatsin was erected. The inscription on it says that the church was built by Sahak from Gegharqunik of large blocks of pure cut stone; it represents a type of «domed hall». In the XIV century the church was devastated by the Persians and rebuilt in the XV century. The fence of St. Astvatsatsin comprises many ancient khachkars, the oldest of which, judging from the inscription refers to the year 996. On the southern outskirts of Noraduz there is a small cross-domed church of St. Gregory (X century), in its eastern wall there is an inscription left by the architect Hercules. In the XIII century two small sacristies were additionally built. |
