The synergy of architectural, cultural, and natural elements in the formation of the medieval Armenian st. Mary rock church in Matera

Lyusin Mamyan

doi:10.31893/multirev.2024ss012

Keywords:

benedictine monastery

Armenian St. Mary's Church

Abstract

The article delves into the historical and cultural intersections between Armenians and Italians in Matera, a city in the southern Italian province of Basilicata, during the 10th-11th centuries. The focal point of the study is the St Mary Armenian Rock Church of Matera (Chiesa Santa Maria degli Armeni di Matera), an original monument attributed to Armenian monks and utilized by the local Armenian community in that specific historical period. The church is considered a part of the ancient Benedictine monastery of Armenian monks, underscoring the significant authority and role held by the Armenian clergy and community during that era. The primary objectives of the research include a chronological examination and structural analysis of the St Mary Armenian Rock Church. The study aims to explore the development of a distinctive spiritual environment within specific topographical constraints and shed light on the historical timeframe of Armenian presence in this region. Notably, the church is the first religious structure to be constructed on the outskirts of the city. The structural analysis relies on existing medieval documents, and the study delves into the unique multi-premise structure and compositional solutions characteristic of the site. Despite the limited availability of source data, the author conducted field research to gain insights into the historical and cultural milieu of the time. The findings allow for a comprehensive understanding of the rock-hewn complex, revealing typical architectural and artistic solutions employed in its design.
References
1. Archimandrite, T., K. (2015). Historical Armenian Churches of Italy, Armenian Saints of Italy, Notable Armenians [Unpublished doctoral thesis], Mother See of St. Etchmiadzin.
2. Archivo storico per la Calabria e la Lucania (1962).
3. Ashdjian, M. (2013). History of Armenian emigration. Institute of History, Yerevan.
4. Brehier, L. (1903). Les colonies d' orientaux en Occident au commencement du moyen-age, V-VIII ss. Byzantinische Zeitschrift.
5. Chavdarian, Ch., Davtyan, S., & Shahinyan, S. (2023). Exploring the caves of Armenia by the first official U.S. caving expedition (2007-2013). Journal of architectural and engineering research, 4, 38-50. https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2023.4-004
6. Guide turistiche in Basilicata (1919), Sassi di Matera e Provincia, Chiese rupestri. http://www.guidematera.it/monumenti/chiese-rupestri_16.html. Accessed on December 10, 2023.
7. Lusco, S. (1981). Arte in Basilicata. Basilicata.
8. Merelli, M. (1964). Storia di Matera. Matera.
9. Mesrop Arch. Ashchean (2013). History of the Armenian Diaspora, Armenian Colonies of Europe and America. Institute of History, Yerevan.
10. Rota, L. et al. (1981). Matera, storia di una citta'. Matera.
11. Tommaselli, M. (2013). La chiesa Santa Maria di Armenis a Matera. History of Armenian emigration. Institute of History, Yerevan.
12. Venturi (1902). Storia dell' arte italiana, II, Milano.
13. Zekiyan, B.L. (2006). Dall: Ararat a San Lazzaro. Una culla di spirituality` e cultura armena nella Laguna di Venezia. Congregazione Armena Mechitarista, Venezia.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Mamyan, L. (2024). The synergy of architectural, cultural, and natural elements in the formation of the medieval Armenian st. Mary rock church in Matera. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7, 2024ss012. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024ss012

[1] Archimandrite, T., K. (2015). Historical Armenian Churches of Italy, Armenian Saints of Italy, Notable Armenians [Unpublished doctoral thesis], Mother See of St. Etchmiadzin.

[2] Archivo storico per la Calabria e la Lucania (1962).

[3] Ashdjian, M. (2013). History of Armenian emigration. Institute of History, Yerevan.

[4] Brehier, L. (1903). Les colonies d' orientaux en Occident au commencement du moyen-age, V-VIII ss. Byzantinische Zeitschrift.

[5] Chavdarian, Ch., Davtyan, S., & Shahinyan, S. (2023). Exploring the caves of Armenia by the first official U.S. caving expedition (2007-2013). Journal of architectural and engineering research, 4, 38-50. https://doi.org/10.54338/27382656-2023.4-004

[6] Guide turistiche in Basilicata (1919), Sassi di Matera e Provincia, Chiese rupestri. http://www.guidematera.it/monumenti/chiese-rupestri_16.html. Accessed on December 10, 2023.

[7] Lusco, S. (1981). Arte in Basilicata. Basilicata.

[8] Merelli, M. (1964). Storia di Matera. Matera.

[9] Mesrop Arch. Ashchean (2013). History of the Armenian Diaspora, Armenian Colonies of Europe and America. Institute of History, Yerevan.

[10] Rota, L. et al. (1981). Matera, storia di una citta'. Matera.

[11] Tommaselli, M. (2013). La chiesa Santa Maria di Armenis a Matera. History of Armenian emigration. Institute of History, Yerevan.

[12] Venturi (1902). Storia dell' arte italiana, II, Milano.

[13] Zekiyan, B.L. (2006). Dall: Ararat a San Lazzaro. Una culla di spirituality` e cultura armena nella Laguna di Venezia. Congregazione Armena Mechitarista, Venezia.

Abstract

References

How to cite