Vank, Nagorno-Karabakh
Vank Վանք Vəngli | |
|---|---|
 The village of Vank as seen from Gandzasar Monastery. | |
| Country | De facto Nagorno-KarabakhDe jure  Azerbaijan |
| Province Rayon | Martakert Kalbajar |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 1,284 |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (AZT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+5 (AZT) |
Vank (Armenian: Վանք; Azerbaijani: Vəngli, also Vanklu, and Vänqli), meaning monastery in Armenian, is a small village located in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.[1] Its population in 2005, according to a census carried out by the ruling authorities of the unrecognized but de facto independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, stood at 1,284.[2]
History
Medieval
The village of Vank is surrounded by several historical monuments dating to the Middle Ages. The most prominent among them is the thirteenth century monastic complex of Gandzasar (built in 1216-38), which overlooks the village and was built by the Armenian ruler of the principality of Khachen, Prince Hasan-Jalal Dawla.[3][4]
Modern
In the years following the conclusion of the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994), the village has seen an increase in investment from the Armenian Diaspora. Levon Hairapetyan, an Armenian businessman based in Russia and a native of Vank, has funded the reconstruction of homes, the local school, and sponsored the building of the nearby Eclectic Hotel, which resembles a ship.[1]
In October 2008, Vank was also one of several venues in Nagorno-Karabakh for a mass wedding of 560 Armenian couples.[5]
Gallery
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The thirteenth century monastery of Gandzasar. -
The remains of Prince Hasan-Jalal's fortress of Khokhanaberd, as seen from Gandzasar, can be seen perched on a mountain on the left of this photograph.
Notes
- ^ a b Noble, John et al. Georgia Armenia & Azerbaijan, 3rd ed. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet, 2008, p. 306.
- ^ "Results of 2005 census of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic", p. 56.
- ^ Mkrtchyan, Gayane. "A Wonder in Karabakh: A visit to the “mysterious” attraction of Vank." ArmeniaNow. August 31, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2010.
- ^ Hewsen, Robert H. (2001). Armenia: A Historical Atlas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 119–120. ISBN 0-226-33228-4.
- ^ Hayrapetyan, Anahit. "Nagorno-Karabakh: Mass Wedding Hopes to Spark Baby Boom in Separatist Territory." Eurasianet. October 23, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
External links
- Musaelian, Lusine. "A Taste of China in Karabakh." IWPR. CRS Issue 408, September, 5 2007.
- Mkrtchyan, Gayane. "A Wonder in Karabakh: A visit to the “mysterious” attraction of Vank." ArmeniaNow. August 31, 2007.
- Gandzasar.com: Gandzasar Monastery, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
- Template:Hy icon The Hasan-Jalalyans, Charitable, Cultural Foundation of Country Development.
