Trdat (architect)

[1] Trdat is also believed to have designed or supervised the construction of Surb Nshan (Holy Sign, completed in 991), the oldest structure at Haghpat Monastery.

[2] After a great earthquake in 989 partly collapsed the dome of Hagia Sophia, Byzantine officials summoned Trdat to Byzantium to organize its repair.

[3] According to contemporary Armenian historian Stepanos Taronetsi (Asoghik): Even [Hagia] Sophia, the cathedral, was torn to pieces from top to bottom.

The architect and stonemason Trdat of the Armenians also happened to be there, presented a plan, and with wise understanding prepared a model, and began to undertake the initial construction, so that [the church] was rebuilt more handsomely than before.

[4]While the circumstances in which he was asked to repair the dome are unknown, Sirarpie Der Nersessian suggested that the fact alone "is in itself a sufficient indication of his renown.