AMGEENRU

Khachkars of Dmanisi Ruined Town

14.08.2013 15:48

Khachkar (Arm.) – literally stone cross – is a flat plate-stone, on the surface of which the image of cross and ornaments are curved (coordinates: 41.201308 44.204484). Khachkar is a memorial monuments and it was often installed on graves. Several Khachkars of XIII c. are preserved in Dmanisi ruined town and assembly they were erected on the graves of Armenian traders living there.

  1. In the period of reign of Lasha Giorgi (1207- 1223) an arched-vaulted entrance was adjoined to the west entrance of Georgian Episcopal cathedral of Dmanisi’s Sioni (VIII-IX c.c.); in the south wall of the entrance one of khachkars, standing on Dmanisi cemetery, was built in late Middle Ages. The khachkar is abundantly decorated; some Khachik and Nuni are mentioned in the damaged inscription.

  2. The so-called kvemo (lower) khachkar is preserved in the graveyard in the outskirts of Dmanisi ruined town; in the Armenian inscription, curved on it, priest Iakob and his brother Karmadin are mentioned. There is a date on khachkar – (737) – 1288.

  3. One more Khachkar, built into the brick niche, is preserved on this graveyard. Priest Iakob, who erected this cross on Margalita’s grave, is mentioned in the inscription existing on this khachkar; Margalita’s husband Sahak and their child are also mentioned in the inscription.