Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh

Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh

Location

The Surb Vanes Chapel of Khachmach is situated within the village of Khachmach, located in the Askeran region of the Republic of Artsakh, nestled between residential houses (Fig. 1, 2). It was occupied by the Azerbaijani military in 2023.

Fig. 1 The view of the chapel from the west, photo by A. Grigoryan.

Fig. 2 The view of the chapel from the east, photo by A. Grigoryan.

Historical overview

Historical information about the chapel is unavailable.

Architectural-compositional examination

The chapel is a rectangular, single-nave structure constructed from large and medium-sized rough and polished stones. Its interior is vaulted. There is a single rectangular entrance on the western side, accompanied by a polished stone featuring a cross image (Fig. 3). Inside, there are small niches displaying contemporary icons (Fig. 4). On the eastern side, instead of a stage, there is a large niche beneath the window, housing a khachkar typical of the 17th and 18th centuries (Fig. 5).

Fig. 3 The entrance to the chapel, photo by A. Grigoryan.

Fig. 4 The niches of the chapel, photo by A. Grigoryan.

Fig. 5 The khachkar inside the chapel, photo by A. Grigoryan.

The condition before and after the war

The chapel has undergone extensive reconstruction in recent years, including the installation of a new roof. Residents have been actively involved in the renovation and reconstruction efforts.

Despite the bombing of the village of Khachmach during the 44-day war in 2020, the chapel remained unscathed and undamaged.

Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh
Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh
Surb Vanes church of Chakhmakh
Artsakh