Kobayr Monastery

location

Region

Lori

location

Distance from Yerevan

148.3 km

location

Type

Monastery/Church

The Kobayr Monastery, located in Lori Province, near the village of Kobayr, is built on a high and hard-to-access cliffside. The monastery was founded in 1171 on the initiative of Princess Mariam, daughter of King Kyurike II of the Kyurikian dynasty. Kobayr Monastery stands out with its unique architectural features, which meet the high standards of Armenian medieval art. The Zakarian dynasty had a strong influence here, especially during the 12th–13th centuries, when the monastic complex passed from the Kyurikians to the Zakarians. The main group of monuments consists of three churches, a belfry-mausoleum, a refectory, chapels, khachkars (cross-stones), remains of fortification walls, a chapel-vestry, and a columned hall. In the 10th–12th centuries, the interiors of churches in Armenia were sparsely decorated. However, influenced by Georgian artistic traditions, this changed in the 13th century. Kobayr is renowned for its high-quality frescoes, which adorn four structures: the apse of the main church, the chapel-vestry, the open hall, and the first floor of the belfry.

Interesting

facts about Kobayr Monastery

Vanik
fact

Facts

fun-fact1
Among the prominent medieval Armenian scholars, Davit Kobayretsi was known to have been active here.
fun-fact2
Georgian cultural influence is clearly noticeable in Kobayr’s architectural and iconographic design, as the monastery had passed into the hands of Georgian-Orthodox members of the Zakarian dynasty. The Armenian-Georgian cultural fusion is especially evident in the church decorations, Georgian inscriptions, and monastery frescoes.
location

Weather in Lori

The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Kobayr monastery depends on the weather conditions.

Sights

near Kobayr Monastery

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Odzun Monastery

16 km

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Horomayr Monastery

18 km

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Dorbandavank

18 km

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Sanahin Monastic Complex

19 km

one-ik

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