Exterior design Etchmiadzin Cathedral

the present-day ground plan of etchmiadzin

the cathedral s external appearance has been described austere , ascetic , unostentatious , , massive cube surmounted faceted cone on simple cylinder. robert h. hewsen writes neither largest nor beautiful of armenian churches , nevertheless, overall impression presented ensemble inspiring, , armenians hold building in great reverence. james bryce wrote cathedral small, say, compared fame or importance . paul bloomfield, writing times, expressed similar view: [the] cathedral, though diminutive european standards, immensely important. herbert lottman wrote in 1976 new york times article: ancient armenian churches, cathedral characterized disarmingly naive, coneshaped steeple. minimum of ornament, building [...] solid stone construction, arches sober romanesque curves.

alexander sahinian declared etchmiadzin holds unique position in armenian (and non-armenian) architecture history because reproduces features of different periods of armenian architecture. according mack chahin cathedral s building of immense architectural interest, because of many alterations , additions have been made since foundation. thus, @ present day, cathedral building incorporates more 1 styles of architecture. despite fact cathedral renovated many times through centuries , alterations made in 17th , 19th centuries, retains form of building constructed in 483/4. 5th-century building core of cathedral, while stone cupola, turrets, belfry, , rear extension later additions. engraved on exterior of edifice decorative geometric , floral patterns blind arcades , medallions depicting saints. portions of northern , eastern walls of original building have survived.

reliefs

greek reliefs

the northern wall of cathedral contains 2 reliefs depict paul apostle , saint thecla , cross arms of equal length greek inscriptions. paul , thecla represented in conversation, paul shown seated on cross-legged stool. these reliefs have been dated various authors between first , sixth centuries. shahkhatunian , ghevont alishan suggested these reliefs created before invention of armenian alphabet in 405. art historian sirarpie der nersessian believed fifth or sixth century. in 2012 analysis, grigoryan wrote can insist 3 reliefs of echmiadzin cathedral created beginning, in 302–325. according hasratyan earliest reliefs on cathedral s walls , among earliest items of christian armenian sculpture art.

reliefs , ornaments on western (main) belfry