Monitoring of the border monuments of the Republic of Armenia > The “Shor Jur” spring of Tegh

The “Shor Jur” spring of Tegh

Location

The namesake village of Tegh, which serves as the center of the Tegh enlarged community, is situated in the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia. It is located 100 km away from the regional center, Kapan, and 20 km away from the city of Goris. It is situated at an altitude of 1360 meters above sea level. In the center of the village, located 200 meters south of the Surb Gevorg Church, there is the "Shor Jur" spring, known locally as the "Shor Spring" (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 The “Shor Jur" spring of Tegh, photo by Monumentwatch group.

Historical overview

The historical Tegh settlement has been mentioned since the 10th century, when Queen Shahandukht of Syunik founded and built the village in 988, dedicating it to the Tatev Monastery (Orbelean 1910, 252).

One of the largest and most famous springs in the settlement is "Shor Jur." It dates back to the 17th century, although some sources suggest it may be from the 15th-17th centuries. The spring was renovated, and the inscription "1932" has been preserved on the upper part of the central opening of the front Armenian wall of the spring (Fig. 2). There is no historical information about the spring, and there are no other inscriptions on the structure.

Fig. 2 The right-hand niche and the inscription "1932", photo by Monumentwatch group.

Fig. 3 The spring and the adjacent pumping station, photo by Monumentwatch group.

Architectural-compositional examination

The spring is constructed from local rough stone. The roof, covered with sheet metal, rests on the side walls and a central pillar, which divides the front-facing wall of the spring into two equal parts. There are three niches on the frontal wall, and an additional niche in the right-hand wall, which shows traces of burning candles. The spring is consecrated (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4 The spring source and niches with traces of candlelight, photo by Monument Watch group.

The "Shor Jur" spring comprises a water source on the right side and seven interconnected vessels (Fig. 5). Except for the last nave, the other six feature stylized decorative bands along their edges. Ornamental bands are also visible on the longitudinal side walls of these vessels (Fig. 6). The spring's walls contain parts of khachkars (cross-stones) and tombstones, as well as iron rings for securing animal ropes. Additionally, a simple khachkar is positioned between the 5th and 6th naves.

Fig. 5 The naves of the "Shor Jur" spring, photo by Monumentwatch group.

Fig. 6 The fourth nave of the spring, photo by Monumentwatch group.

The condition following the Azerbaijani aggression in 2020-2022

After the 44-day Artsakh war and the subsequent border changes, the "Shor Jur" spring is now located 1 km from the border.

Bibliography

  1. Orbelian 1910 - Stepanos Orbelian. History of the region of Sisakan, Tiflis.