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All Georgia Tbilisi Vank Bell Tower

Vank Bell Tower

When the Soviets destroyed the historic Armenian monastery they somehow left its bell tower intact.

Tbilisi, Georgia

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The Vank bell tower.   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
The bell tower, hidden from the main street nearby.   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
The Vank bell tower.   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
The monastery and bell tower in 1901.   public domain
The Vank bell tower.   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
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This historic bell tower originally stood next to an unusual triple-nave and triple-cupola cathedral, which was the seat of the Armenian archbishop. The church was the largest in Tbilisi at the time it was demolished in 1930 upon the orders of the infamous Soviet leader Lavrentiy Beria, along with a number of other churches in Tbilisi.

Beria went on the head the Soviet secret police (the predecessor organization to the KGB) during World War II, and later joined the USSR's Politburo. The cathedral complex he ordered destroyed was originally founded by an Armenian immigrant in the 14th century and was called the Holy Mother of God of Mens Monastery, as well as Pashavank, or just Vank, which means "monastery" in Armenian.

The surviving belltower now stands almost forgotten behind some larger buildings that obscure it from the main road, which is just steps away. Many houses have sprouted up around the freestanding belfry, but it has not been harmed and still soars above the neighboring homes.

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Belltowers Soviet History Religion Cathedral Ruins World War Ii Sacred Spaces Military

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An open gate about 40 feet (12 meters) from the bell tower allows access to the courtyard and the base of the tower.

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armeniapedia

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  • Meg
  • TLF
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Published

January 29, 2019

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vank_Monastery,_Tbilisi
Vank Bell Tower
3 Atoneli St
Tbilisi
Georgia
41.69742, 44.805679
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