Odzun Church, Early Christian basilica in Odzun, Armenia.
Odzun Church is a large three-nave basilica built from pink felsite stone with arched cloisters on its northern and southern sides. The structure features a barrel-vaulted roof and sits within a cemetery containing old tombstones.
The building was constructed in the 6th century and was significantly reworked in the 8th century by Catholicos Hovhannes III Odznetski. This reconstruction shows how the site remained important to the Armenian church across generations.
The eastern facade shows detailed carvings of Christ holding the Gospel of Saint John, flanked by two angels beneath the central window. These works reflect the religious craftsmanship that local artisans maintained over the centuries.
The site is easily accessible with clear paths for exploring the building and cemetery grounds. It helps to set aside time to examine the stonework and tombstones at a leisurely pace.
A rare funerary monument stands nearby with elaborate biblical scenes and geometric patterns, believed to have been given by an Indian king. This artwork reveals the remarkable connections the site maintained across vast distances.
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