Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (World Heritage Site in Armenia)

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin

Short Report

These two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty ( 10th to 13th century) were important centers of learning. Sanahin is known for its school radiators and calligraphers. The two a monastic complexes are the highest flowering of the Armenian religious architecture, their unique style developed from a mix of elements of Byzantine church architecture and the traditional common architecture of the Caucasian region.

Wide Report

These two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty (10TH- 13th century) were important centers of learning. Sanahin especially known for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. They are extraordinary examples of the 'domed hall' religious architecture in Armenia from the 10th to the 13th century, which combined elements of both Byzantine church architecture and the current traditional architectural style of the region.

The construction of the large church the large reinforced a monastic complex of Haghpat, dedicated to the Holy Cross, began in 966-67 and was completed in 991. The central bubble based on four large pillars in the walls. The exterior walls are almost entirely covered by triangular niches. The apsis contains a fresco of Christ Pantocrator. The building is complete and in the original form, apart from some 11th- and 12th-century restorations, including the large gavit which access is gained to the church. The plan of the gavit, built in the second decade of the 13th century, varies considerably in style of the big church. A large narthex-building type be used for meetings, teaching and and rituals is based on common architecture in wood, with the roof supported by four pillars in the center of the structure. Vaulting divides the inside of the roof in nine sections, the central role of the (yerdik ) is the highest and dominates the interior space, as illuminating. The church is combined with a vaulted continuity to a large jamatoun (chapter house), in the same style as the gavit, built in the 13th century. The church is also connected with the library, a compact, square building, dating from the 12th century.

The Sanahin Monastery consists of a large group of buildings on the plateau above the Debit gorge and skillfully integrated into the impressive mountain scenery. The buildings are divided into two rectangular shafts, with their facades to the west. The main church, built in the 10th century, is the Cathedral of the Savior. The emphasis of the cross-shaped device is on the core and the harmony between the square foot and the round bubble. In this case the central dome is surrounded by four two-storey sacristies or chapels. In the west there is a four-surrounded by gavit built in 1181. The plan is that of a cross engraved in a square. Lighting is by means of a hole in the middle of the dome. This is the earliest known example of this type of structure, which owes its origin to Armenian farmers consisting of square rooms with four detached columns the roof and a hole in the middle to smoke to be distributed.

The Church of the Mother God's (Astvatzatzin), located in the north of the cathedral, and is connected to it by means of an open-ended vaulted passage, is the oldest building of the complex, built in 934 by monks from fleeing from Byzantium. The large library (its scriptorium), built in 1063, is square and arched, with ten niches of different sizes in which codices and books are stored. On the south-eastern corner of the library you will find the small church dedicated to St. Gregory the illuminator. The 11th-century Academy of Gregory Magistros is located between the two main churches. The deep alcoves along the walls and the abundance of light give the building a special spatial quality. The cemetery, located to the southeast of the main buildings, contains the late 12th-century mausoleum of the Zakarian princes.

Historical Data

Christianity has played a crucial role in the development of the Armenian art and architecture. The 'classic' style developed in the 5 7th century, but the further development came to an abrupt end with the Arab occupation began at the end of the 7th century. Armenia became independent at the end of the 9th century and Armenian art was revived when the kingdom was consolidated and the national identity restored. The two monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin date from this period, during the flowering of the Kiurikian dynasty and the Zakarian Princes. They were important centers for training, housing 500 monks and eloquent testimony of the highest achievement of the Armenian architecture.

Haghpat, built by the royal Bagratouni dynasty in the Lori district of northern Armenia in the 970s, was known from early times as Sourb Nshan (the Holy Cross) of Haghpat. Construction to the design of the architect Methods was completed in 991. The earthquake on several occasions, and in 1105 was taken and burned by the Selcuk prince Amir-Ghzil . That is the spiritual significance of Haghpat Sanahin and its neighbor, the castle of Kaian was built in 1233 to protect against the marauding MongoIs, but this was taken by storm in 1241. Nevertheless a monastic life continued and new buildings were added later in the 13th century. There was a period of intensive restoration in the 17th century.

Source:whc/unesco