Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, Armenia
Outstanding examples of the ecclesiastical architecture in Armenia
Sanahin (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
The Byzantine monastic complexes of Haghpat and Sanahin, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, were prominent centres of learning.
They represent Armenian religious architecture at its peak, displaying a blend of elements from Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region.
khachkars (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
The two sites contain an astonishing array of khachkars (cross-stones) which date back to the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, the best known among them being the All Savior cross-stone in Haghpat, dating back to 1273.
Haghpat Monastery in winter (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Haghpat Monastery
Haghpat Monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid King Ashot III, probably in 976. The nearby monastery at Sanahin was built around the same time.
Architecture (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Architecture
The edifice consists of a single narthex, two corridor-sepulchers, a refectory, a scriptorium, the Chapel of Hamazasp, a belfry, several chapel-tombs and a number of cross-stones, all surrounded by a towered rampart.
The approaches to it are observed from the Kayanberd Fortress, which was built in the 13th century especially for that purpose.
Surb Nshan Cathedral (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Surb Nshan Cathedral
The Cathedral of Surb Nshan, which was founded around 976, is the largest church in the complex. It is a typical example of tenth-century Armenian architecture, its central dome resting on the four imposing pillars of the lateral walls. Its outside walls are dotted with triangular recesses.
Inside Haghpat (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
The church is abutted to the west by the narthex, with an interesting internal composition, added in the second decade of the 13th century. The narthex is an exceptional example of Armenian medieval architecture.
The crossing arches supported by two columns carry the roof-vault, illuminating the interior of the building.
Original state (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Apart from one or two minor restorations that were carried out in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the church has retained its original character.
Remaining structures (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Remaining structures
The site also includes several other structures. There is the small domed Church of Sourb Grigor (St. Gregory) founded in 1005. Two side chapels were added to the original church, at the beginning of the 13th century and in 1257.
In 1245, a three-story tall free-standing bell tower was constructed. This structure was one of the first of its type, presenting volumetric-spatial solutions with its cross-shaped ground-floor plan supporting an octahedral second floor.
13th-century additions (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Other 13th-century additions include the chapel of Sourb Astvatsatsin, the scriptorium, and a large refectory which is outside the monastery limits.
Crossing arches (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Between the 11 and 13th centuries, the monastery became a repository for Armenian manuscripts, with the monks securing thousands of ancient texts from all over the Armenian kingdoms for safekeeping at Haghpat.
Undiscovered manuscripts (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
During invasions, the manuscripts were scurried away to caves in the mountains, where it is believed many of them remain undiscovered to this day.
Sanahin Monastery (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin was a major monastery in the region. Its patrons, the Zakarians, elevated it to its height of eminence as a school of illuminators and calligraphers, and as a college of religion, philosophy and science, during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Architecture of the Sanahin Monastery (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Architecture
The Sanahin monastery contains the church of St Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), the oldest structure, St Amenaprkich (All Savior) and St Grigor Chapel, narthexes, fore-church, scriptorium, belfry and academy.
Armenian medieval classical architecture (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
St Astvatsatsin Church, built between AD 928 and 944, is a central-domed, cross-shaped example of Armenian medieval classical architecture that reached to its perfection in the main building of the complex, which is the St Amenaprkich Church.
It was built between AD 957 and 966 under the patronage of Queen Khosrovanush, the wife of King Ashot III the Merciful.
Interior (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
The focus of the interior is on the central nucleus and the harmony between its square base and round dome. The main apse is surrounded by four two-storey sacristies.
The church is approached through a narthex, built in AD 1181 in a cross-in-square plan with the roof supported by four columns (the earliest known example of this plan). The ornamentation of the capitals of the columns with symbolic sculptures in the shape of animal heads adds distinctive expression to this narthex.
Natural settings (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Built into the nature that surrounds it, Sanahin has an irregular asymmetry, with all the buildings coming together to form an organic whole.
Bell tower (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Bell tower
Sanahin’s bell tower, along with Haghpat’s, were the first of their kind – three storeys high, with intricate columns holding the belfry above, and huge ornately-carved khachkars in different shades of red and yellow tuff stone contrasting with the black facades.
Tree of Life (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
You can take a walk around the site and study the evolution of khachkars, from the old, simple designs of the 10th century to the ornate 13th-century stylized depictions of the Tree of Life.
Cross-stones (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Cross-stones
There are approximately 50 khachkars that have been preserved in the vicinity of Sanahin monastery. The most famous of them all is the khachkar of Grigor Tuteordi, erected in 1215.
OUV (1996) by Monasteries of Haghpat and SanahinUNESCO World Heritage
Outstanding Universal Value
Criterion (ii): The monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat are unique by virtue of their blending of elements of both Byzantine church architecture and traditional vernacular building styles of this region.
Criterion (iv): The monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat are outstanding examples of the ecclesiastical architecture that developed in Armenia from the 10th to the 13th century.
This exhibit was created by Armenia Travel: armenia.travel/en
More on the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin and World Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/list/777
Photos: Armenia Travel
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