Октагональная церковь Мангупской цитадели по данным археологических исследований 1997—1999 гг.: планировка, стратиграфия, хронология

Abstract

The article is devoted to a publication of basic results of archaeological research of citadel's octagonal church, which was excavated on Mangup in 1997-1999. The monument constitutes the complex, which strictly disposed to the axis East - West. It consists of three planning components - narthex, naos and altar. Its central part is naos, which has octahedron contour outside with common measurements 8,46 x 8,02 m. Octagon is cruciform inside with a semicircular apse in the East. Altar part is separated from naos with templon. The holes for throne and ciborium are fixed inside the altar. Narthex is disposed in west part of complex. It represents an open ground with common measurements 3,4 x 4 m. Four square columns for the roof are found in the middle of the narthex. There is rock tomb with rectangular plan and bell profile near the octagon. Archaeological materials allow dating the octagon by the first quarter of XV century. We have all reasons to identify it with the church of St. Constantine and Helena, which according the epigraphical sources was built in 1427. The rulers of Theodora have chosen the byzantine architectural stile for their own chapel not by chance. It could be explained by active political contacts between them and elite of Byzantine and Trapezund in the beginning of 20 years of XV century, which were ended by conclusion of dynastic unites in 1424-1425.