Talin Cathedral

Talin Cathedral Monastery Complex or Katoghike Talin Church is located in Talin, Aragatsotn region, Armenia. The construction is attributed to the Kamsarakan princes. No historical or lithographic information about the temple has been preserved. According to the analysis of architectural features, Katoghike dates back to the 7th century. This is a three-nave, domed, cruciform three-altar basilica facing east. The tabernacles are pentagonal in shape. Apses were built on the north-south side of the high tabernacle, the upper floors of which served as hiding places. The prayer hall is divided by two rows of columns into a central, high and wide nave with two side vaulted naves. The transition from the domed area to the drum is carried out by four sails, and from the drum to the dome - by small pipes. It has five entrances, one from the west, two from the north and south. It is built of red polished tuff. Katoghike stands out for its rich exterior decoration, molded window crowns, cornices, and a unique design of the western facade. Inside the temple, the remains of frescoes, commissioned by Moses Confessor, have been preserved, as evidenced by the inscription preserved inside the temple.

Katoghike was damaged in 1840. and 1931 from earthquakes. Repair and strengthening work was carried out in 1947, 1970-1975. Katoghike Talina, with its rich and luxurious exterior, stands out among the monuments of early medieval Armenian architecture with restrained solutions.

Single nave basilica. The foundations of the monument were excavated at a distance of about 5 m from the northern tabernacle of Katoghike, 1970-1975. with partial renovation. On the east side, with the tabernacle, there are probably the remains of a vaulted structure dating from the 5th century.

Camera: It is located 150 meters south of Katoghike. It dates back to the IX-XI centuries. Remains of masonry have been preserved.

Cemetery. Distributed in the northwestern part of Katoghike. He is rich in the 4th-7th centuries. with valuable square monuments, inscriptions from tombstones and khachkars.

Photo By: Artur Martirosyan