Surb Hovhannes Church, Togh

Surb Hovhannes church is located in the centre of the village Togh of Hadrout region of Nagorno Karabakh. According to the historian Makar Barkhoudaryan the church was erected in the 13th century. Like many other Armenian Christian structures it`s also was built on the site of an old pagan temple. Remains of the previous structures are found there.

The church is built on a slope. Its western wall is partially merged with the rock, while the western one is open. The only entry is in the southern part of the building. The church is enclosed by a stone wall the south-eastern corner of which is crowned with a round tower. Surb Hovhannes church is a rectangular hall. Its vaulted ceiling is supported by two pairs of pylons. In 1736 the ceiling of the church was reconstructed by Melik Egan in the memory of his father, Vardapet Ghoukas.

As recorded in the historical chronicles there was a chapel attached to the south-western wall of the church. It served as a burial vault of Eganyans, Meliks of Dizak. Only a foundation remains from the chapel and vestibule of this church.

There is a large number of perfectly shaped and beautifully ornamented khachkars (cross-stones) and gravestones inside and outside the church.

By Natalia Ghukasyan, www.building.am

Photos: www.shuv-petrosyan.livejournal.com