Tsaghats Kar Monastery ( hy, Ցաղաց քար Վանք) is a monastic complex located along the mountain
foothills overlooking the
Yeghegis River, between the villages of
Yeghegis
Yeghegis ( hy, Եղեգիս) is a village in the Yeghegis Municipality of the Vayots Dzor Province in Armenia. It has a rich historical past, with the medieval Zorats Church, the Tsakhats Kar Monastery and the Smbataberd fortress being locate ...
(6 km northeast) and
Horbategh
Horbategh ( hy, Հորբատեղ) is a village in the Yeghegis Municipality of the Vayots Dzor Province in Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Wes ...
in the
Vayots Dzor Province
Vayots Dzor ( hy, Վայոց Ձոր, ) is a province (''marz'') of Armenia. It lies at the southeastern end of the country, bordering the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan to the west and the Kalbajar District of Azerbaijan to the east. It cover ...
of
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''Ox ...
. The monastery is located within walking distance of the fortress of
Smbataberd.
There are two groups of structures at the site that are separated by a distance of 200 meters (656 feet). The grouping to the west, now half-ruined, was constructed of rough-hewn
basalt
Basalt (; ) is an aphanite, aphanitic (fine-grained) extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron (mafic lava) exposed at or very near the planetary surface, surface of a terrestrial ...
.
Within the complex of Tsaghats Kar is Surb Hovhannes church built in 989, Surb Karapet church of the 10th century, and many other structures that are in ruins. Saint Karapet is a cupola hall type structure, with a
sacristy
A sacristy, also known as a vestry or preparation room, is a room in Christian churches for the keeping of vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.
The sacristy is usually located ...
in each of the four corners. Numerous
khachkars may be seen around the monastery as well.
There is a pipe-spring on the right a little after passing the river.
Gallery
Image:Tsakhats kar-raffi kojian-DCP 1532.JPG, Another view of the complex prior to reconstruction.
Image:Ցաղաց Քարի վանական համալիրը 05.JPG
Image:Ցաղաց Քարի վանական համալիրը 11.JPG
Image:Ցաղաց Քար 03.jpg
References
Bibliography
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External links
Armcamping.com: Tsaghats Kar Monastery (Article written in Armenian)Armeniapedia.org: Tsaghats Kar Monastery
Christian monasteries in Armenia
Tourist attractions in Vayots Dzor Province
Buildings and structures in Vayots Dzor Province
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