Mastara – Talin – Aruch
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Village Mastara. St. John Baptizer (Surb Hovhannes) Church in Mastara was founded in the V century. The temple has sharp corners and apses from four sides. Around the Church there are a few ancient khachkars, harmoniously merging with the church. The architectural style of the temple symbolizes the transition of Armenian church from simple compositions to complex church structures, like the church of St. Hripsime in Etchmiadzin.
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Talin. In the V-VII centuries it was the center of Armenian princedom. In the city there is the small church of Talin and the big temple. The small church of Talin is in the center of Talin and represents itself a cruciform three-pedestal church of the central cupola composition. It was built in the second half of the VII century by Nersekh Kamsarakan. The Big Temple of Talin was built by Kamsarakans in the VII century. It represents itself a three-pedestal domed basilica. By the earthquake of 1840 the dome and most of the southern and western walls were distructed.
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Aruch Village. Here is located one of the largest churches in Armneia – St. George’s Cathedral, built in 666. Before the turn to Aruch there is a caravanserai of the XIII century.