Sisavank Monastery

Region

Syunik

Distance from Yerevan

208.6 km

Type

Monastery/Church

Sisavank Monastery (or St. Hovhannes church) is located in Sisian city of Syunik province. According to one version, the monastery was founded and built in 663-682. However, according to another version, according to the records of the outstanding medieval historian Stepanos Orbelian, Sisavank is an earlier structure and was built by the princess of Syunik Varazdukht in 520-530. Like many other early Christian churches of Armenia, Sisavank was erected on the site of an ancient pagan sanctuary. The church has a cross-dome construction, built of smooth hewn basalt with a bluish tint. The skilfully designed drum of a 12-sided dome, decorated with graceful double half-columns with arches, is noteworthy. The cornice of the dome is decorated with an ornament; the names and images of the four evangelists are carved on it. The walls of the church are also replete with various inscriptions, drawings and symbols, among which there are ancient petroglyphs.