Antiquities

Gothic style originated in Armenia

A “HORIZON” art magazine article (Spring 1966) said that Ani’s St. Gregory and St. Savior may be forerunners of Europe’s Gothic cathedrals of Europe and pointed out that Turks had copied the circular design and conical roof of Ani churches.

The article added: “But the lasting influence of Ani may have been in the West. Certain structural innovations such as clustered columns, ribbed vaults, and pointed arches have led critics to believe that here was born the Gothic style a century before it appeared in Europe.

Armenian architecture had a great influence on the Balkan countries and builders from Armenia may well have carried new ideas as far as France and Italy.”

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By Jirair Tutunjian, Toronto

Vigen Avetisyan

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