VAŁARSHAPAT - ST. HRIPSIME / Vllth century
Built in 618 by the Katholikos Komitas, this church marks a remarkable evolution as against the one at Avan. The four diagonal cir­cular rooms which lead to the square angular ones are more closely related to the square cen­tral space covered by a large cupola.
The solution of the fan shaped squinches which permit a successful linkage of the various sur­faces beneath the cupola is especially skillful. The exterior façades are articulated by triangular niches which reduce the weight of the architectural mass.
The porch-campanile is a XVllth century addition. The building is surrounded by a wall for­tified with corner towers.

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