The restoration project of the Gavazan winging column of the Tatev Monastery

The Gavazan (staff), which is as winging column 8.30 m high, was erected in the southern part of the courtyard of the Tatev Monastery, 24 m south of the Church of St Paul and Peter. The Column was built in 906 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The column has an octagonal cross-section. TheGavazan Column is divided from bottom to top into three compositional parts. The lower part (94 cm high),comprises a plinth of two stones. The bottom stone of the pedestal is motionless, half buried in the ground. The upper pedestal stone is movable. Its lower surface is a movable hinge connected to the stone of the lower step. The middle part of the Column is a 5.4 m high pillar topped with a cornice. The Column at the top is crowned with a unique khachkar (cross-stone) 92 cm high.

The Tatev Column occupies a special place among the stand-alone stela-monuments of medieval Armenian architecture. It is the only movable column that can swing with a large amplitude from the earth shaking or shock, and gradually reduce the vibrations to return to its previous vertical position. For 1,100 years, this ingenious feat of engineering has never been destroyed. It has survived without any significant changes, despite the frequent earthquakes and invaders in the region, who, according to the legend, were terrified by the mysterious swaying of the Gavazan Column.

Based on historical sources and research related to the Gavazan Column, an analysis was conducted, which formed the basis for the development of restoration project proposals as well as the technological features of the restoration process. The process includes the following points:

- Design special dismantling devices and a work sequence plan
- Dismantle, relocate, restore and erect the upper part of the Column on its pedestal
- Study the articulated connection of the lower part of the Column and fully restore the possibility of articulated movement
- Number, dismantle and clean the stones of the lower part of the Column, which is in emergency condition, and new masonry using a new mortar with similar properties to the old lime mortar.

In the next stage of the restoration, the project focuses on diverting external waters from the paved area around the Gavazan Column.