Haghpat

Haghpat Monastery, nestled on a promontory in the Lori region, is an internationally recognized gem of medieval architecture. The monastery was established in 976 during the reign of King Ashot III Bagratuni.

The complex consists of St. Nshan Church (10th cent.), St. Gregory Church (1005), the chapel of St. Astvatsatsin (1005), as well as a refectory, scriptorium, bell tower, a chapel, cemeteries, and khatchkars. These structures, although built at different times and for different purposes, form a coherent whole in harmony with the spiritual landscape of northern Armenia.

The oldest structure, St. Nshan Church (976-99), was built by Queen Khosrovanuysh, the wife of Ashot III, to honor her sons Smbat and Gurgen. The church is a fine example of the new Armenian architectural style that emerged in the 10-11th centuries. The similarity of architectural features corroborates the traditional account that this church was designed and built by Trdat, the architect of Ani Cathedral and Gagkashen. Among its most distinctive features are the etched images of Kings Smbat and Gurgen, face to face, together holding a model of the church.

Haghpat was a thriving intellectual, cultural, and scholarly center in the 11-13th centuries. Among the scholars who contributed to Haghpat’s ascendancy were the rector Hovhannes Sarkavag Imastaser (the Philosopher), the historian Samvel Anetsi, law professor Davit Alavka Vordi, and geographer, philosopher, and sharakan writer Vartan Areveltsi. In 1778, St. Nshan Church was graced by Fr. Stepanos, better known as the bard-poet Sayat-Nova (1712-1795). Haghpat’s scriptorium is well-known for its magnificent illuminated manuscripts such as the Haghpat Gospel, a treasure of medieval art, currently at the Matenadaran.

In 1996, Haghpat monastery became the first Armenian monument to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.