Hovhannavank Monastic Complex

Region

Aragatsotn

Distance from Yerevan

28.5 km

Type

Monastery/Church

Hovhannavank Monastic Complex is one of the prominent historical and architectural monuments of the 3rd century. It is located in the village of Ohanavan, on the western edge of the Kasagh River gorge. The complex includes the 4th-century single-nave basilica of St. Karapet, the main church of St. Karapet, the 13th-century narthex, the tomb-chapel, a memorial pillar, winged and wall-embedded khachkars (cross-stones), buildings of the school and the brotherhood, as well as the protective wall surrounding the monastic complex. Since the 5th century, Hovhannavank has been one of the notable monastic complexes in Armenia, where it is believed that Ghazar Parpetsi wrote his historical work ""History of the Armenians."" He was also the abbot of the monastery and lived and created in Hovhannavank. According to tradition, the ancient basilica of St. Karapet in the Hovhannavank complex was built by St. Gregory the Illuminator at the beginning of the 4th century. The main church of St. Karapet, adjacent to the basilica, was built by Prince Vache Vachutyan under the patronage of his wife Mama Khatun between 1216-1221, and the construction was completed by his son Kurd Vachutyan. Notable is the sculpted depiction on the lintel of the entrance, adorned with vegetal motifs and fully covered with the parable of the “Wise and Foolish Virgins.