Gipchag temple
Albanian (Turkish) Christian temple in Gipchak village, Artik district, Shorayel mahal.
The name of Gipchak village was changed to Arich on 31.05.1946, and the name of the temple was changed to Arichavank.
Architecture
During the Soviet rule, it was used for various purposes. During the archaeological excavation conducted in 1966, the castle and the settlement part were also discovered. The temple is one of the monuments that Armenians could not rename and Armenianize.
The temple consists of two churches and other buildings. The main temple, built in the style of a domed hall, is believed to have been built in 1201. Gipchakavank is known as one of the most famous monastic centers in Albania and is especially famous for its school and beauty. During the archaeological excavations in 1966, it was known that it existed since the 2nd century BC and is one of the most famous fortress settlements in Albania. (Aziz Alakbarli). It is clear from the name of the church that the theory of "Turkification" of Albanians is wrong and is nothing more than a shadow on the history of the Turkish people of Azerbaijan.
As the name suggests, the temple belonged to the Gipchag Turks. Gipchag village has been the motherland of Turkic-Oghuz tribes since ancient times, the first Armenians were brought to the village from Iran and Turkey in the middle of the 19th century.