The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Hinshen

The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Hinshen

Location

The village of Hinshen is situated in the Shushi region of the Republic of Artsakh. The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin stands at the center of the village.

Historical overview

No historical records about the church have been found. Judging from its general appearance and plan, it was likely built in the nineteenth century (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. A general view of the church. Photo by H. Petrosyan.

Architectural-compositional examination

The church has a rectangular ground plan and consists of a single-nave hall. It is constructed of small- and medium-sized, unworked and semi-worked whitish limestone; only the jambs of the doorway and windows, as well as the quoins, are finely dressed (Fig. 2). The building has a single entrance opening on the south side (Fig. 3). The exterior walls are plastered. The church initially had a vaulted roof.

Fig. 2. An exterior view of the church. Photo by H. Petrosyan.

Fig. 3. The church's only entrance (on the south side). Photo by H. Petrosyan.

The Condition Before and After the War

The church was not damaged during the Artsakh wars. Since the Soviet period, the building has been repurposed as a community events hall. During that period, the roof and interior were altered (Fig. 4), and parts of the exterior walls were rebuilt in new stone (Fig. 5).

Fig. 4. The interior of the church. Photo by H. Petrosyan.

Fig. 5. The rebuilt sections of the church walls. Photo by H. Petrosyan.

The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Hinshen
The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Hinshen
The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Hinshen
Artsakh