On the Character of the Medieval Architecture on the Example the 'Domed Halls' of Ani and Vicinity of the 10th-11th Centuries

摘要

This paper reflects a new view of the development of the medieval architecture as a result of previous author's studies and the current examination of the typological group of Armenian churches, so called 'Domed halls' of the 10th-11th centuries at the Bagratids' capital Ani and its vicinity. Among the stereotypes in the evaluation of medieval Armenian architecture there is a persistent tradition of understanding a development process as evolutionary. The consideration of the monuments leads to the negation of the sequential evolution of the studied architectural type. It is rather possible to talk about the existence of some general development trend among the diverse solutions, a significant part of which indicates the implementation of the most daring architectural ideas within the already known spatial structures. The Creative approach to the implementation of the commission, the desire of the architects to transform the proportions of the dome halls and the image of the church by introducing new and the interpretation of the already known forms have been decisive in the projects embodied by the masters of the capital or Ani architectural school. This approach has been developed not only in the creation of city cathedrals, but also extended to the monastic construction, the most important works of which have been the royal commissions.