Hovhannavank Monastic Complex

Hovhannavank stands in the village of Ohanavan, on the western edge of the Kasagh River gorge. Because of the village’s name, the complex is often called Ohanavan or Ohanavank.

According to tradition, its oldest church, the single-nave basilica of St. Karapet, was built by St. Gregory the Illuminator at the beginning of the 4th century. From the 5th century Hovhannavank was one of Armenia’s notable monasteries, and its main church of St. Karapet was built in 1216–1221.

Prince Vache Vachutyan built it in 1216–1221 under the patronage of his wife Mama Khatun, and his son Kurd Vachutyan completed the construction. The carved lintel over the entrance is decorated with plant motifs and entirely covered with the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

Besides the 4th-century basilica and the main church of St. Karapet, the complex has a 13th-century narthex, a tomb-chapel, a memorial pillar, winged and wall-embedded khachkars, school and brotherhood buildings, and a protective wall. That wall, strengthened with towers, was built by Queen Nana at the end of the 12th century.

It was one of the important early Armenian manuscript centres, and Ghazar Parpetsi, who was abbot here, is believed to have written his History of the Armenians at Hovhannavank. From the end of the 14th century its school also taught calendar art, philosophy and music, and about 20 manuscripts from its scriptorium are kept at the Matenadaran in Yerevan.