The ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral

The photograph shows the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral near Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin). The name “Zvartnots” means “temple of the vigilant angels”.

The cathedral was built in the 7th century, in 641–643, under Catholicos Nerses III the Builder. It had a central-domed plan with four semicircular arms, innovative for its time, and from the outside it was a 32-sided polygon that looked round from a distance. The cathedral stood for about 300 years and was completely destroyed by a strong earthquake in the 10th century, around 930. The ruins were discovered only at the beginning of the 20th century; during the excavations the stepped base of the cathedral and part of the walls were restored. In 2000 the ruins of Zvartnots and the nearby Etchmiadzin monastery were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the photograph, fragments of the cathedral’s carved stones lie on the ground in a semicircular row.