Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank ( hy, Հաղպատավանք), is a medieval monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia,UNESCO, "Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin"
/ref> built between the 10th and 13th century.

Location

The location of Haghpat Monastery was chosen so that it overlooks the Debed River in northern Armenia's Lori (province), Lori region. It was built, not on a peak, but halfway up a hillside on a site chosen to afford protection and concealment from prying eyes and also in response to a kind of monastic humility. It is built on a verdant promontory located in the middle of a mountain Cirque (landform), cirque, which is often wreathed in clouds. A peak on the opposite side of the river is over 2,500 meters high. The monasteries of northern Armenia are not isolated, unlike their counterparts in the country's arid regions. They were built in a village environment and Haghpat is surrounded by many hamlets.

History and description

The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976.Haghbat, p. 534-535, in "Armenian Art", Donabedian, Patrick; Thierry, Jean-Michel. New York: 1989, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. . The nearby monastery at Sanahin Monastery, Sanahin was built around the same time.

baz0000" target="_blank" class="mw-redirect" title="Armenica.org, "The Architectural Complex of Haghpat Monastery"">Armenica.org, "The Architectural Complex of Haghpat Monastery"
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Cathedral of Surb Nshan

The largest church in the complex, the Cathedral of Surb Nshan, probably begun in 976, was completed in 991 by king Smbat II, Smbat. It is a typical example of tenth-century Armenian architecture, its central dome rests on the four imposing Column, pillars of the lateral walls. The outside walls are dotted with triangular Alcove (architecture), recesses. A fresco in the apse depicts Christ Pantocrator. Its donor, the Armenian Prince Khutulukhaga, is depicted in the south transept (a transversal nave intersecting the main nave). The sons of the church's founder, Princes Smbat II, Smbat and Kiurike I, Kurike, are shown with Queen Khosravanuysh in a bas-relief on the east gable. Apart from one or two minor restorations carried out in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the church has retained its original character.

Other structures

There are several other structures at the site as well. There is the small domed Church of Gregory the Illuminator, Sourb Grigor (St. Gregory) from 1005. Two side chapels were added to the original church; the larger one built in the beginning of the 13th century and the smaller, known as "Hamazasp House", built in 1257. In 1245, a three-story tall free-standing belltower was constructed. Other 13th-century additions include the chapel of Sourb Astvatsatsin, the scriptorium, and a large refectory which is outside the monastery limits.Sourb Nshan, Sourb Astvatsatsin, Sourb Grigor
/ref> There are also a number of splendid khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries standing on the territory of the monastery, the best known among them is the "Amenaprkich" (All-Savior) khachkar which has been standing since 1273.

Survival throughout history

The monastery has been damaged many times. Sometime around 1130, an earthquake destroyed parts of Haghpat Monastery and it was not restored until fifty years later. It also suffered numerous attacks by armed forces in the many centuries of its existence and from a major earthquake in 1988. Nevertheless, much of the complex is still intact and stands today without substantial alterations.

Significance, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Described as a "masterpiece of religious architecture and a major center of academia, learning in the Middle Ages", Haghpat monastery, together with Sanahin Monastery, was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996."The monastery of Haghpat" by Elisabeth Baudourian, ''UNESCO Courier'', May 1998
/ref> The monasteries at Haghpat and Sanahin were chosen as UNESCO World Heritage Sites because:

The two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasus, Caucasian region.

Today the area is an increasingly popular tourist site.

Gallery

Image:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 05.jpg, The belltower Image:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 18.jpg, The belltower and the Church of Sourb Nshan Image:Armenia Haghbat.jpg, Artistically carved entranceway to one of the buildings File:Haghpat Monestary Ceiling, Armenia.jpg, Dome (interior) File:Haghpat From Inside.jpg, Monastery gate, looking from inside out; note stone crosses (khachkars) left and right File:Cross-Stones-Haghpat.jpg, Monastery gate, stone crosses (khachkars) File:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 28-30 HDR.jpg, Church interior, nave and altar File:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 06.jpg, Scriptorium with holes in the floor for hiding scrolls during times of peril

References

External links

Haghpat at Armenica.orgArmeniapedia.org entry on HaghpatUNESCO entry on Haghpat and Sanahin

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
UNESCO collection on Google Arts and Culture
About Haghpat MonasteryHaghpat Photos at Mayrhayasdan.com

{{Authority control Christian monasteries in Armenia World Heritage Sites in Armenia Christian monasteries established in the 10th century Oriental Orthodox congregations established in the 10th century Buildings and structures in Lori Province Tourist attractions in Lori Province