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.”

Read Also:

By Jirair Tutunjian, Toronto

Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

Who Is Buried in the Women’s Tomb of the Royal Family of Commagene

Karakuş ("Black Bird") — a hierothesion of the Orontid dynasty in the Nymphaios valley Introduction…

9 hours ago

St. Sargis Church in Bjni (7th Century): History, Route and Practical Travel Guide

A tiny cross-domed church on a rocky outcrop above one of Armenia’s oldest villages —…

2 days ago

Svo Raf: The Thief-in-Law Whom Armenia Remembers as a Protector

Rafael Baghdasaryan (1930–1993) lived the life of a professional criminal and died a hero of…

3 days ago

If the Lawsuits Are Withdrawn: Legal Avenues for Artsakh’s Displaced and the Question of Armenia’s Occupied Territories

Status as of 6 November 2026. This is an analytical piece, not legal advice. The…

3 days ago

Ararat-1: How Stone Tools Revealed the Routes of Ancient People on the Armenian Highland 50,000 Years Ago

Palaeolithic of the Armenian Highland · based on Quaternary Science Reviews, the Russian TV channel…

4 days ago