#geghard

[grandboute]

Monastere de Geghard - Armenie

[whencyclopedfr]

Temple de Garni

Le temple de Garni (en arménien: «Garnu tacar») est situé dans le village de Garni dans la province de Kotayk, en Arménie. Il était autrefois un temple païen dédié au dieu solaire arménien, Mihr. Construit au milieu du 1er siècle ap. J.-C., le temple de Garni a remarquablement survécu à la période de destruction des temples païens suite à la conversion de l’Arménie au christianisme au 4e siècle ap. J.-C. Il a aussi résisté à d’innombrables invasions et tremblements de terre jusqu’à son effondrement en 1679. Suite à une période de fouilles archéologiques entre la fin du 19e siècle jusqu’au début du 20e siècle, le temple de Garni a finalement été reconstruit entre 1969 et 1975. Aujourd’hui, il s’agit de la seule structure gréco-romaine en Arménie. Il est considéré par beaucoup comme un puissant symbole du passé classique de l’Arménie, ainsi qu’un symbole de ses liens historiques avec les civilisations grecque et romaine.

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[globeskidder]

Extraordinary Armenia: An Underrated Country with Plenty to Offer

Here is my Armenia trip report from when I visited in October 2022

I visited Armenia in the fall of 2022 with few expectations. At first glance, tourism in Armenia seemed limited to the Armenian diaspora or Russians who were coming in by the droves to escape the Ukraine war draft. I hadn’t expected it to be such a delightfully easy country to travel around, and I didn’t plan to fall in love with it. Although I had initially planned on visiting in 2008, what…

[bruev]

Trisagion / Трисвятое

[terebelli]

Geghard Monastery, Armenia

[lionheartlr]

Discover Armenia: A Travel Guide to the Land of History and Hospitality

Armenia, nestled in the South Caucasus region, is a country of ancient history, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. With its friendly locals and a blend of traditional and modern experiences, Armenia offers an unforgettable travel adventure. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know for a perfect trip to this enchanting land. Brief History of Armenia Armenia…

[clickr]

Geghard

[teawithmagician]

Lonely Mountain = Armenia

I have a take to make: Armenian culture is very similar to how I would imagine the culture of the Dwarves of Lonely Mountain.

When you think of the halls of Erebor, images of grand stone halls, intricate metalwork, and proud, resilient people come to mind.

Interestingly, this mental imagery resembles Armenia, a rich and ancient civilization in the Southern (that is important - Armenians are not Caucausians per se, like Georgians and/or Dagestanians) Caucasus region. From the stone-borne proud spirit of the Armenian people to their architecture and traditional clothing, there are fascinating parallels between the two cultures, real and fictional.

1. Architecture: Stone, Fortresses, and Underground Structures

The Dwarves of Erebor are renowned for their skill in mining and stonework, creating vast underground cities with intricate carvings and fortifications. Similarly, Armenian architecture is marked by the use of stone, with many historical fortresses, churches, and monasteries built using basalt, tuff, and other locally sourced materials. These buildings, often nestled in mountainous regions, reflect a deep connection to the earth, much like the Dwarven kingdom carved within the Lonely Mountain.

Examples:

Geghard Monastery: Partially carved out of mountain rock, this UNESCO World Heritage site demonstrates the skill and artistry of Armenian stonework. Its cavernous halls and intricate carvings are reminiscent of the Dwarven halls deep within Erebor.

Tatev Monastery: Perched on the edge of a cliff, this fortress-like monastery reflects the grandeur and defensive nature of Dwarven architecture.

2. Traditional Clothing: Regal, Rich, and Embroidered

Tolkien’s Dwarves are often depicted in elaborate, layered garments with intricate patterns, a testament to their pride in craftsmanship. Armenian traditional clothing, especially royal and ceremonial attire, shares this emphasis on richness and detail. Armenian robes from different historical periods were made from fine fabrics, often embroidered with gold and adorned with jewels, echoing the regal appearance of Dwarven kings and warriors.

Examples:

Royal Armenian Attire: The robes of Armenian kings and nobles during the medieval period were crafted from rich fabrics and detailed embroidery. Visuals of King Gagik I or the attire from the Bagratid dynasty era would illustrate the parallels well.

Women’s Embroidered Dresses: Traditional women’s dresses from regions like Syunik and Artsakh, adorned with intricate patterns and gold-thread embroidery, reflect a similar pride in craftsmanship seen in Dwarven culture.

3. Craftsmanship: The Art of Metalwork and Jewelry

The Dwarves are famous for their skills as blacksmiths, miners, and jewelers, creating intricate items from precious metals. Armenia, with its long history of metallurgy, also boasts a rich tradition of metalwork and jewelry-making. Armenian craftsmen were known for producing exquisite silver and gold pieces, ranging from church crosses to ceremonial weaponry and jewelry.

Examples:

Armenian Crosses and Jewelry: The detailed filigree and gem-inlaid designs seen in Armenian religious artifacts show a high level of skill. These pieces could easily be imagined as treasures from the hoards of Erebor.

Ceremonial Swords and Armor: Historical Armenian weaponry, including richly adorned swords and shields, can also be found in museums. Their craftsmanship mirrors the care and pride of Dwarven smiths.

4. Resilience and Pride: A Shared Spirit of Survival

Both the Armenians and the Dwarves have a shared history of resilience and pride in their heritage. The Dwarves, displaced from their homeland of Erebor, strive to reclaim their lost kingdom, a narrative that echoes the Armenian struggle throughout history to preserve their culture and identity in the face of invasions and displacement.

Armenian history is marked by perseverance, whether through the maintenance of cultural traditions, language, or faith, even during periods of hardship. The Dwarves' determination to return to Erebor, despite the dangers, reflects a similar strength.

Examples:

Armenian Genocide Memorials: These monuments, while somber, speak to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Armenian people. They stand as a testament to survival, much like the return of the Dwarves to Erebor.

Mount Ararat: The iconic mountain, which has a deep connection to Armenian identity, is often depicted in art. It symbolizes endurance, much like the Lonely Mountain symbolizes hope for the Dwarves.

Conclusion

While there is no evidence that J.R.R. Tolkien based the Dwarves of Erebor on any specific real-world culture, the similarities between Dwarven and Armenian culture are striking. Both are defined by a love of stone, a tradition of intricate craftsmanship, and a deep-rooted pride in their heritage. These parallels offer a fascinating way to look at Tolkien's world.

[revelisms]

Ministry Aesthetics — 3: The Lower Chambers Past the central stairwell lays a maze of hallways, lit with the crackling whispers of enchanted flames. Ancient doorways feed to storage closets and cleanrooms and countless halls of veneration, where artifacts and ritual items are housed. At the lowest basin sits a reservoir of unblessed waters, reserved only for rites of purification; per tradition, each Papa-elect must be cleansed here before Ascending.

Image sources under the cut

Castle Rising Castle Main Stairwell, Wikimedia Commons

Gavit and entrance to Surp Astvatsatsin, Geghard Monastery, Wikimedia Commons

Interior of Geghard Monastery, Wikimedia Commons

Aryivank Monastery, Wikimedia Commons

Dover Castle Great Tower Stairwell, Wikimedia Commons

Basilica Cistern, Bruno Maestrini

Portuguese Cistern, Wikimedia Commons

[thesorceresstemple]

Tomb at back of Geghard Monastery complex in Armenia.

[whencyclopedfr]

Monastère de Gherart

Le monastère de Gherart (ou Geghard, en arménien: Geghardavank ou "monastère de la lance") est un monastère médiéval situé dans la province arménienne de Kotayk, au cœur de la vallée de l'Azat, qui fut construit directement à partir d'une montagne adjacente. Le Gherart est réputé dans toute l'Arménie pour son art et son architecture médiévaux, et les traditions locales associent le site à saint Grégoire l'Illuminateur (257 - 331 de notre ère) qui vint dans la région pour fonder une petite chapelle chrétienne au IVe siècle. Le nom de Gherart atteste de la présence ancienne d'une lance qui aurait transpercé le corps de Jésus-Christ lors de sa crucifixion. Elle est aujourd'hui conservée à la cathédrale d'Echmiadzin, à Vagharshapat, en Arménie. Le complexe a été classé au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO en 2000.

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[deseopolis]

Geghard Monastery. Armenia. via

[bruev]

Жаматун / The Zhamatun

[yr-hen-ogledd]

The reddish-pink rocks & masonry on this sister's base were inspired by Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches, Armenia's Geghard monastery and the album art for Zola Jesus' Arkhon (shot in the Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin USA).

[luvarmenia]

Small waterfall near Geghard monastery in Armenia

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs9KaCjo71k/

[valueadz]

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