|
UNESCO Heritage
sites of Armenia |
| |
To be included on the
World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and
meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. These criteria are
explained in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the
World Heritage Convention which, besides the text of the Convention, is
the main working tool on World Heritage. The criteria are regularly
revised by the Committee to reflect the evolution of the World Heritage
concept itself.
Until the end of
2004, World Heritage sites were selected on the basis of six cultural
and four natural criteria. With the adoption of the revised Operational
Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, only
one set of ten criteria exists.
* To bear a unique or at least
exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which
is living or which has disappeared;
* To be an outstanding example of a type
of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which
illustrates (a) significant stage (s) in human history;
* To be an outstanding example of a
traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is
representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the
environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of
irreversible change. |
| |
| |
| |
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of
Zvartnots |
|
|
|
|
The cathedral and churches of
Echmiatdzin and the archaeological remains at Zvartnots graphically
illustrate the evolution and development of the Armenian central-domed
cross-hall type of church, which exerted a profound influence on
architectural and artistic development in the region.
Criterion (ii): The developments in ecclesiastical architecture
represented in an outstanding manner by the churches at Echmiatdzin and
the archaeological site of Zvartnots had a profound influence on church
design over a wide region.
Criterion (iii): The churches at Echmiadzin and the
archaeological site of Zvartnots vividly depict both the spirituality
and the innovatory artistic achievement of the Armenian Church from its
foundation. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Monasteries of Haghpat
and Sanahin |
|
|
|
|
These two Byzantine monasteries in the
Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian
dynasty (10th to 13th century) were important centres of learning.
Sanahin was renown for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. The
two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian
religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of
elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional
vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Monastery of Haghpat on the basis
of cultural criteria (ii) and (iv) considering that it is of outstanding
universal value and an exceptional example of ecclesiastical
architecture that developed in Armenia in the 10th to 13th centuries
which is unique by virtue of its blending of elements of both Byzantine
church architecture and the traditional vernacular building style of
this region. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley |
|
|
|
|
The monastery of Geghard contains a
number of churches and tombs, most of them cut into the rock, which
illustrate the very peak of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex
of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty,
surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley.
Criterion (ii): The monastery of Geghard, with its remarkable
rock-cut churches and tombs, is an exceptionally well preserved and
complete example of medieval Armenian monastic architecture and
decorative art, with many innovatory features which had a profound
influence on subsequent developments in the region. |
| |