The Role of Medieval Armenian Architecture in the Process of the National Self-Identification

For hundreds and thousands years, under the extremely difficult conditions of regular wars, raids of foreign invaders, political and natural cataclysms, the self-identification of the Armenian people has been developed only through the national culture, particularly in architecture. There is no exaggeration to put architecture at the first place among other factors of self-identification - not only because it is a synthesis of various arts and sciences, but also because of the close connection between architecture and natural and climatic peculiarities of the country, the national mentality, art ideas of the people of Armenia, and even the political and economical situation in the country. The loyalty to the national sources led to the awareness of the national identity, to the desire to possess and keep a specific worldview, and - thanks to that - to stay in centuries.