Oshki

Oshki
Oshki
	Oshki (963-973), church of St John the Baptist, from the east
Religion
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
Location
Location	Çamlıyamaç, Uzundere district, Erzurum Province, Turkey
	Shown within Turkey
Geographic coordinates	40°36′49″N 41°32′32″E / 40.613712°N 41.542111°E
Architecture
Architect(s)	Grigol
Style	Georgian
Groundbreaking	963
Completed	973

Oshki^[8]^[9]^[10] (Georgian: ოშკი Oshki; Turkish: Öşkvank Manastırı or Oşki Manastırı) is a Georgian Eastern Orthodox monastery^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[11]^[12]^[13]^{[excessive citations]} from the second half of the 10th century located in the historic province of Tao, now part of the territory of Turkey. The main church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, was built between 963 and 973. The monastery is located in the village of Çamlıyamaç, in northeastern Erzurum Province, bordering Artvin Province.

Oshki monastery was a major centre of Georgian literature and enlightenment during the Middle Ages.^[14] The monastery is considered "one of the largest and architecturally most complex buildings produced anywhere in the Eastern Christian world."^[15]

It is considered one of the four Great Cathedrals of the Georgian Orthodox world.

Architectural sculpture and figurative reliefs

The construction of the monastery at Oshki was sponsored by the Grand duke/King Bagrat II of Tao and David III of Tao.

The blind arches are an important part of the whole decoration. In Oshki they stretch along the outer walls of the church in the south, east and north. It is an early example of the use of decorative blind arches on the facades. They divide the wall in line with the general architectural rhythm. The central part of the facade is mainly decorated with bas-reliefs.

Bas-reliefs, placed high above the central arch, are given the place of honour on the southern facade, which is the main facade of the church. They stand out from the flat surface. The eagle with an animal in his talons probably symbolises victory, and the whole sculptural composition the triumph of the heavenly forces represented by the archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Engravings from Le Tour du Monde based on drawing by Théophile Deyrolle, who traveled in Turkey and Georgia in the 1870s, documenting, among other things, medieval Georgian monuments on the territory of the Ottoman Empire.
The Refectory of the Georgian church, Oshki
Engravings from Le Tour du Monde based on drawing by Théophile Deyrolle, who traveled in Turkey and Georgia in the 1870s, documenting, among other things, medieval Georgian monuments on the territory of the Ottoman Empire.
The six-pointed star (Star of David) and Borjgali in Oshki

In the province of Tao the power lay in the hands of the ruling dynasty of the Bagrationi, whose members Bagrat eristavt-eristavi and David Magistros are depicted lower down on the same facade, near the deesis, to show that the heavenly forces were the family's patrons.The figures are well proportioned, elegant in contour and form. The static postures of earlier donor portraits give way to free movement, and an equal attempt can be traced in the near three-dimensional renderings of the archangels and the deesis of the southern facade, as well as on a column in the southern gallery. The decorative system of the Oshki church also includes the low reliefs characteristic of the so-called transitional period in medieval Georgian art (8th – 10th centuries), when the old style had not yet given way completely, and new ways were evolving. Sculptors of the different generations must have worked on it. The church in Oshki already shows the tendencies that would eventually develop in the 11th century.

Name and Etymology

There are two different views regarding the etymology of the place name ოშკი (ošḳi; IPA: [ɔʃkʼi]); according to Kakha Shengelia and Valeri Silogava the word ოშკი (ošḳi) derives from Megrelian word შქა (shka), meaning "being in the middle";^[16] according to Merab Chukhua, is Laz word and means "dog rose" (rosa canina), which corresponds to Georgian ასკილი (asḳili) and Kartvelian *ასკილ- (*asḳil-).^[17] In Armenian and Turkish languages this monastery is named "Oshk vank" (from Armenian language vank "cathedral").^{[citation needed]}

Inscriptions

Inscription №1

The first inscription in Oshki temple is drawn with Sanguri (Georgian: სანგური) color and is located over the southern main entrance to the temple. Nowadays 12 lines still exist. All inscriptions are written with Mrgvlovani, the earliest version of Georgian script. The original can be seen on the illustration in the right. The first scientist who explored this inscription was Marie-Félicité Brosset, a French orientalist who specialized in Georgian and Armenian studies.^[18] Later these inscriptions were researched by Ekvtime Takaishvili and Wachtang Djobadze. As noted by Wachtang Djobadze, the first inscription gives a lot of information about the temple. It mentions the names of Ktetors of the church – Georgian kings Bagrat Eristavt-Eristavi and David III of Tao. Also there is information about architect of the church – someone called Grigol.^[19]

მოწყალებითა ღ(მრ)თისაჲთა რ(ომე)ლი სცავს ყ(ოვე)ლთა მოშ(ი)შთა მ(ი)სთა და წარმოჳმართ(ე)ბს მოყოჳარეთა სახელისა მისისათა ყ(ოვე)ლთა ს(ა)ქმ(ე)
თა კ(ე)თ(ი)ლთა ამის წ(მი)დისა ს(ა)მ(ე)ბ(ი)სა სარწმოჳნოვებ(ი)თა და მ(ეო)ხ(ე)ბ(ი)თა წ(მი)დისა დ(ე)დოფლისა ჩ(უე)ნისა ღ(მრ)თ(ი)სმშობ(ე)ლისაჲთა მ(ა)დლითა წ(მი)დ(ა)ჲსა ძ(ე)ლისაცხოვრებისაჲ
თა შეწ(ე)ვნითა და მეოხ(ე)ბ(ი)თა დიდებოჳლისა ნათლი[ს]მცემლისაჲთა და ყ(ოვე)ლთა წმიდაჲთაჲთა რ(ომელ)ნი საოჳკოჳნითგ(ა)ნ სათნო ეყ(უ)ნ(ე)ს ღ(მერ)თსა ამათ ყ(ოვე)ლთა
წმიდათა სადიდებ(ე)ლ(ა)დ და საქებ(ე)ლ(ა) იწყ(ე)ს ღ(მრ)თივ გოჳრგოჳნოს(ა)ნთა მ(ე)ფ(თ)ა ჩ(უე)ნთა შ(ე)ნ(ე)ბ(ა)დ ამის წმიდისა ს(ა)ყდრისა რ(ა)თა ამას შ(ი)ნა აღესროჳლებოდიან დღესა
სწაოჳლნი და შეიმკვებოდიან ჴსენებ(ა)ნი წმიდათანი ვ(ითარც)ა წერილ არს ჴსენებასაწმიდათასა ეზიარებოდ(ე)თ ამათ ყ(ოვე)ლთა წმიდათა სოჳრვილითა
ამათ დიდეოჳ[ლ]თა მ(ე)ფ(ე)თა ჩ(უე)ნთა ოჳშოჳრვ(ე)ლ ყ(უ)ნენ საფას(ე)ნი წარმავ(ა)ლნი წარ[ო]ჳვალისა მ(ი)სთოჳის რ(ა)თა ყ(ოველ)ნი წმიდანი შემწ(ე)დ მოიგნენ და ღმერთმან შ(ეე)წ(იე)ნ ორთავე
ცხოვრებ(ა)თა ძ(ე)თა ღ(მრ)თ(ი)ვ კოჳრთხეოჳლისა ადარნასე კოჳრაპალატისატა ბ(ა)გრ(ა)ტ ერისთავთა ერისთ(ა)ვმ(ა)ნ დავით მაგისტროსმ(ა)ნ სამებამ(ა)ნ წმიდამან
სამნივე დაიფარენ მორჯოჳენითა თ(ჳ)სითა და ა(დი)დ(ე)ნ ორთავე ცხორებ(ა)თა და მე გრიგოლ ღირს მყო ღ(მრერთმა)ნ მსახოჳრებ(ა)სა ამას მ(ა)თსა ღ(მრ)თისა მიმართ და მე ვიყ
ავ სა[ქ]მესა ზ(ედ)ა-მ[დ]გომი და არწმოჳნა ღ(მერთმა)ნ გონებასა მ(ა)თსა ერთ-გოჳლობაჲ ჩ(ე)მი მ(ო)ნისა მ(ა)თისაჲ ესე იყო გალატოზთა და მოქმედთა მიზდი და აზავერთა მექოჳიშე
თაჲ რ(ომე)ელ წელიწადსა წარეგების დრამაჲ :კ: ათასი ღოჳინოჲ ფ(ისო)სი :ჭ: რკინაჲ ლიტრი :ნ: ხოჳარბალი გრივი :ს:მ:ი: გალატოზი და ხო[ჳ]როჲ და მჭედელი რ(ომე)[ლმა]რადის შ(უ)რებო
და ჲ:ი: ჴ(ა)რი რ(ომ)ელ ქვასა კრ(ე)ბდა :ლ: ჯორი და სხ(უ)აჲ აზავერი რ(ომე)ლ გრიგოჳლ-წმიდით სპონდიკსა კრ(ე)ბდა :ლ: სხოჳაჲ აზავერი რ(ომე)ლ [-] [კრ(ე)]ბდა :ჲ: [-]
ჲდა [-] [ყი]ერი და მოქმედი :პ:^[18]

Gallery

Oshki (963-973), interior, looking east into the main apse
Oshki (963-973), south porch
Oshki (963-973), church of St John the Baptist, south facade

References

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Ошки — грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на северо востоке Турции), один из духовно религиозных и культурных центров Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961) трёхапсидное купольное здание, украшенное аркатурой, резными… (Encyclopaedic Dictionary)
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b The real and ideal Jerusalem in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic art: studies in honor of Bezalel Narkiss on the occasion of his seventieth birthday; Bianca Kühnel, Bezalel Narkiss
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b The Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier. January 21, 1985. ISBN 9780717201167.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Eastmond, Antony (January 21, 2004). Art and Identity in Thirteenth-century Byzantium: Hagia Sophia and the Empire of Trebizond. Ashgate/Variorum. ISBN 9780754635758.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Bread and ashes:a walk through the mount ains of Georgia Tony Anderson
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b OSHKI, World Monument Fund
^ Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Byzantine Studies: London, 21-26 August, 2006, Volume 1 page.301
^ Art of the medieval world: architecture, sculpture, - Page 155, by George Zarnecki – 1975
^ Jones, Lynn (January 1, 2007). Between Islam and Byzantium: Aght'amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9780754638520.
^ Навстречу Пушкину через Эрзурум, Vokrug sveta geographic magazine, 2009
^ ОШКИ — грузинский средневековый монастырь (на территории Турции). Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961) с рельефным декором и росписью (1036). … (Modern Encyclopaedia)
^ ОШКИ — - грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на территории Турции), один из культурных центров Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961); трехапсидное купольное здание, украшенное аркатурой, резными наличниками, рельефными… (Big Encyclopaedic Dictionary)
^ Ошки — грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на северо востоке Турции); один из культурных центров феодальной Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961, архитектор Григол): в плане триконх с капеллами по сторонам каждой конхи;… (Encyclopaedia of art)
^ Levan Menabde, Centres of ancient Georgian culture, 1968.
^ Rapp, Stephen H. (2012). Caucasia and the second Byzantine Commonwealth : Byzantinization in the context of regional coherence. National Council for Eurasian and East European Research. OCLC 860797903.
^ V.Silogava, K.Shengelia, Tao-Klarjeti, Caucasus University, Tbilisi 2006, p. 186, ISBN 999 40-861-7-0
^ Merab Chukhua, Georgin-Circassian-Abkhaz Etymological Researches [მერაბ ჩუხუა, ქართულ-ჩერქეზულ-აფხაზური ეტიმოლოგიური ძიებანი] — Tbilisi, 2017. — p. 101, ISBN 9789941461743
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b M. Brosset, Inscriptions géorgiennes et autres recueillies par le P. Nerses Sargisian, Mékhitariste de S.Lazare, et expliquées par M.Brosset; Mémoires de l'Académie impériale des sciences de St.Pétersbourg, VII ser., t. VIII, no.10 (S.-Petersbourg, 1864), стр.1-24
^ Wachtang Djobadze – Georgian monasteries of early medieval period in historical Tao, Klarjeti and Shavsheti = ადრეული შუა საუკუნეების ქართული მონასტრები ისტორიულ ტაოში, კლარჯეთსა და შავშეთში / Editor – M.Lordkipanidze. — Tb.:Universal, 2007. — 346 p. — ISBN 978-99940-61-11-2

External links

Virtualtao-klarjeti.com – Oshki, Oshki scriptorium and refectory;
Leila Khuskivadze, Georgian-Byzantine relations on the example of tao-Klarjeti relief sculptures, In Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Byzantine StudiesProceedings of the 21st International Congress of Byzantine Studies, International Congress of Byzantine Studies, London, 21–26 August 2006, P. 300-301, ISBN 0-7546-5740-X., Google Books
Speaking Monuments: Oshkavank, Armenian Public TV

[Ошки-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b Ошки — грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на северо востоке Турции), один из духовно религиозных и культурных центров Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961) трёхапсидное купольное здание, украшенное аркатурой, резными… (Encyclopaedic Dictionary)

[books.google.com-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b The real and ideal Jerusalem in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic art: studies in honor of Bezalel Narkiss on the occasion of his seventieth birthday; Bianca Kühnel, Bezalel Narkiss

[American_Encyclopaedia-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b The Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier. January 21, 1985. ISBN 9780717201167.

[ReferenceA-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b Eastmond, Antony (January 21, 2004). Art and Identity in Thirteenth-century Byzantium: Hagia Sophia and the Empire of Trebizond. Ashgate/Variorum. ISBN 9780754635758.

[ReferenceB-5] Jump up to: ^a ^b Bread and ashes:a walk through the mount ains of Georgia Tony Anderson

[OSHKI-6] Jump up to: ^a ^b OSHKI, World Monument Fund

[7] Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Byzantine Studies: London, 21-26 August, 2006, Volume 1 page.301

[8] Art of the medieval world: architecture, sculpture, - Page 155, by George Zarnecki – 1975

[9] Jones, Lynn (January 1, 2007). Between Islam and Byzantium: Aght'amar and the Visual Construction of Medieval Armenian Rulership. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 9780754638520.

[10] Навстречу Пушкину через Эрзурум, Vokrug sveta geographic magazine, 2009

[11] ОШКИ — грузинский средневековый монастырь (на территории Турции). Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961) с рельефным декором и росписью (1036). … (Modern Encyclopaedia)

[12] ОШКИ — - грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на территории Турции), один из культурных центров Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961); трехапсидное купольное здание, украшенное аркатурой, резными наличниками, рельефными… (Big Encyclopaedic Dictionary)

[13] Ошки — грузинский средневековый монастырь (ныне на северо востоке Турции); один из культурных центров феодальной Грузии. Грандиозный собор (окончен между 958 и 961, архитектор Григол): в плане триконх с капеллами по сторонам каждой конхи;… (Encyclopaedia of art)

[14] Levan Menabde, Centres of ancient Georgian culture, 1968.

[15] Rapp, Stephen H. (2012). Caucasia and the second Byzantine Commonwealth : Byzantinization in the context of regional coherence. National Council for Eurasian and East European Research. OCLC 860797903.

[16] V.Silogava, K.Shengelia, Tao-Klarjeti, Caucasus University, Tbilisi 2006, p. 186, ISBN 999 40-861-7-0

[17] Merab Chukhua, Georgin-Circassian-Abkhaz Etymological Researches [მერაბ ჩუხუა, ქართულ-ჩერქეზულ-აფხაზური ეტიმოლოგიური ძიებანი] — Tbilisi, 2017. — p. 101, ISBN 9789941461743

[Brosset-18] Jump up to: ^a ^b M. Brosset, Inscriptions géorgiennes et autres recueillies par le P. Nerses Sargisian, Mékhitariste de S.Lazare, et expliquées par M.Brosset; Mémoires de l'Académie impériale des sciences de St.Pétersbourg, VII ser., t. VIII, no.10 (S.-Petersbourg, 1864), стр.1-24

[19] Wachtang Djobadze – Georgian monasteries of early medieval period in historical Tao, Klarjeti and Shavsheti = ადრეული შუა საუკუნეების ქართული მონასტრები ისტორიულ ტაოში, კლარჯეთსა და შავშეთში / Editor – M.Lordkipanidze. — Tb.:Universal, 2007. — 346 p. — ISBN 978-99940-61-11-2

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

v t e Historical Georgian monasteries and churches
Georgia	Abkhazia Aba-Ata Ambara Akhali Atoni (Simeon) Akhali Atoni Monastery Bedia Bichvinta Bzyb Chkhortoli Chlou Chuburkhinji Dranda Gagra Gantiadi Ghumurishi Ilori Iveria Khopi Kvitouli Lashkendari Lidzava Likhni Marmariskari Megobroba Mokvi Mtiskalta Mugudzirkhva Nabakevi Nakhshiri Odishi (Constantine, Mary) Otkhara Pichori Pitchu-Okhvame Sakeni Tsebelda (Andrew, Catherine, George, Theodore) Adjara Kvirike Skhalta Guria Achi Erketi Jumati Likhauri Shemokmedi Imereti Bagrati Bajiti Chala Chikha Darkveti Derchi Devadze Ekhvevi Gelati Jruchi Katskhi Katskhis Sveti Kisoreti Koreti Mghvimevi Motsameta Savane Speti Tabakini Ubisi Zarati Zemo Simoneti Kakheti Akhmeta Akura Alaverdi Argokhi Bochorma Bodbe Chabukauri Cheremi Dartlo David Gareja David Gareja Lavra Dodo Dolochopi Dzveli Diklo Dzveli Gavazi Gremi Ikalto (Monastery, Stephen) Intsoba Kardanakhi Khashmi (Mary, Trinity) Khirsa Kochalo Kvelatsminda Kvetera Machi Manavi Matani Matni Natlismtsemeli Nekresi Ninotsminda Ozaani Ruispiri Sabatsminda Sanagire Sagarejo Shildi Shuamta (New) Shuamta (Old) Vachnadziani Vartsani Vazisubani (Assumption, Davitiani) Zegaani Zemo Alvani Zemo Khodashani Kvemo Kartli Abelia Akaurti Akhalsheni Akvanebi Ayazmi Bolnisi Sioni Chatakhi Chochiani Dashbashi Dmanisi Sioni Draneti Ganakhlebi Ghobani Gomareti (Mary, Nicholas) Gudarekhi Kakliani Kazreti Kolagiri Kukhi Kushchi Liparitisubani Mamkhuti (Lower, Upper) Manglisi Martqopi Pirghebuli Pitareti Revazasheni Sakdrioni Samghereti Samshvilde Sioni Sarkineti (Ascension, Basil) Satkhi Shavnabada Sikhuaant Sori Tandzia Tejisi Tserakvi Tsalka Tskhnari Tsughrughasheni Ukangori Vanati Vardisubani Zemo Karabulaghi Mtskheta-Mtianeti Akhatna Alevi Ananuri Antioki Archili Bochorma Davati Garbani Gergeti Jvari Kabeni Khevi Sioni Korogho Ksani Lomisa Machkhani Mtetsveri Nedzikhi Samtavro Shio-Mgvime Svetitskhoveli Telovani Tserovni Tsilkani Zedazeni Zhameti Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Barakoni Bugeuli Chikhareshi Chukuli Kldisubani Mami Mravaldzali Nakuraleshi Nikortsminda Raketi Sasashi Tvibi Zemo Krikhi Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Adishi (Archangel, George, George, Saviour) Agara Atsquri Baraleti Bieti Chvibiani Ienashi Iprari Khobi Khvilisha Lagurka Lashtkhveri Matskhvarishi Mestia Martvili Murqmeli Nakipari Otsindale Sepieti Svipi Taringzel Tavrali Tsaishi Tsalenjikha Tsvirmi (Archangel, George, Saviour) Ushguli Zhamushi Samtskhe–Javakheti Abuli Akhalsheni Alandzia Alastani Arjevan-Sarvani Azureti Bavri Bezhano Burnasheti Chikhorisi Chulevi Daba Damala Didi Ateni Didi Samsari Gandzani (Church, Church, Church, Temple, Ekvderiani, John) Gaveti Gorguli Jakismani Karneti Karzameti Kavtaroghli Khorenia Khospio Kizildere Kochio Koshkigheli Kvabiskhevi Kvarshi Likani Mchadijvari Mtsvane Naisa Nedzvi Poki Potoleti Saghamos (Church, Church) Sapara Saro Shavnabada Shoreti Sirgva Skhaltbi Tabatskuri Tadzrisi Tavparavani Timotesubani Tiseli Tmogvi Tontio Tori Tsunda Vale Vanis Kvabebi Vardzia Zarzma Zeda Vardzia Zeda Tmogvi Zveli Shida Kartli Aghaiani Ali Aradeti Ateni Sioni Bieti Bobnevi Breti (George, Piros) Chandrebi Eredvi Ertatsminda Gigo Idleti Ikorta Ikvi Inauri Kaberi Kavti Kheiti Khopa Khoveli Khtsisi Kintsvisi Koshkebi Kumurdo Kvakhvreli Kvatakhevi Largvisi Lavriskhevi Magalaant Mesveti Metekhi Nabakhtevi Niabi Noste Pavnisi Rkoni Ruisi Samtavisi Samtsevrisi Saorbisi Tavkavta Tigva Tiri Tsirkoli Tskhinvali Tsromi Urbnisi Urtkhva Usaneti Vaka Vere Zemo Nikozi (Archangel, Deity) Tbilisi Anchiskhati Betania Betlehemi Kldisubani Lurji Metekhi Narikala Tbilisi Sioni
Armenia	List of churches
Azerbaijan	List of churches
Bulgaria	Petritsoni
Cyprus	Gialia
Greece	Iviron
Israel	Monastery of the Cross
North Caucasus	Alby-Yerdy Datuna Church Tkhaba-Yerdy
Turkey	List of churches

v t e Georgian cathedrals, monasteries and churches in Turkey
Ancha Bana (Penek) Doliskana (Dolişhane/Hamamlıköy) Ishkhani (İşhan) Khakhuli (Haho/Bağbaşi) Oshki (Öşk Vank/Çamlıyamaç) Parekhi Khandzta Opiza (Bağcılar) Berta monastery Shatberdi Baretelta Otkhta Eklesia (Dörtkilise) Parkhali (Barhal/Altıparmak) Tbeti Monastery (Cevizli) Jmerki Mere St. Barlaam Monastery (Barlaham Manastırı)
Turkey portal Category