SAİNT PİERRE (KOMK) MONASTERY

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The monastery is located in the Turnali hamlet of the Meşeli village, 12 km northeast of the Sason district of Batman province. It is positioned on a high hill overlooking the region, 1km southeast of Turnali hamlet. Saint Pierre Monastery, also known as the Apostle Peter Armenian Monastery or Komk Monastery, is called by the people living in the region with different names such as Matnevank (Matin Arak, ealvank, Ckut'vank), Karmik, Komk, Gomik (Gomk). The construction date of the monastery, which has no inscription, is unknown. However, from the material and architectural features used in the building, M.S. It is estimated to have been built in the 5th-6th centuries.

The monastery, which has survived to the present day in a mostly destroyed state, was built on a rectangular area close to square measuring 40.80m x 33.00m in north-south direction. The monastery surrounded by high walls; The church consists of the narthex, the martyrion (burial room) and the structures placed on the three facades of the atrium. The narthex and the martyrion are with a dome; the church is covered with a vault. The apse in the eastern part is higher than the naos. There is a pastoforion cell to the north of the apse, and a crypt (cellar tomb) on the ground in front of the apse. The rectangular narthex section of the church has a rectangular entrance with a stone lintel. Its top cover is domed and its sides are barrel vaulted. The dome is carried by four columns connected by arches. There are spaces surrounding the atrium in the south of the church from three directions. In the construction of the monastery, cut stone, rubble stone and cas mortar was used, and there is a great deal of natural and human destruction.