Kotavank

Region

Gegharkunik

Distance from Yerevan

120.6 km

Type

Monastery/Church

Kotavank is a semi-ruined monastic complex located on the western cliffs of the village of Nerkin Getashen, in Gegharkunik Province, Armenia, about 5 km from the town of Martuni. The village was formerly known as Kot and served as a residence of the Haykazuni branch of the Syunik princely family. Grigor Supan II, a prince from this Haykazuni lineage, built Kotavank between 851–901 AD as a family mausoleum. The church is rectangular on the outside, triconch on the inside, with a rectangular western transept, and has two-story chapels with apses in each of its four corners. The upper stories of these chapels served as secret chambers. The structure is domed. The entrances to the church are from the west and south. According to an inscription, before the construction of the church, a walled courtyard was built at the site, indicating the existence of an earlier monument.

Interesting

facts about Kotavank

Facts

At the entrance of the southeastern chapel, instead of a lintel, a khachkar (cross-stone) from the first half of the 9th century is placed, dedicated to the memory of Sparapet (Commander) Vardan Mamikonian. On both sides of the cross's horizontal arms is inscribed: ""Saint VARDAN THE MARTYR KI"".

A lengthy construction inscription once existed on the church, preserved thanks to the historian Stepanos Orbelian. The plan of the church is considered one of the achievements of the Syunik architectural school.

In the late 1980s, Armenia’s Main Directorate for the Preservation and Use of Monuments initiated renovation work, but only the walls and part of the dome were restored. All restoration stopped in 1990.

Weather in Gegharkunik

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 Kotavank Monastery depends on the weather conditions.

Sights

near Kotavank

Mount Artanish

4 km

Noratus (Cross-Stones)

32 km

Azhdahak Mountain

34 km

Vardenyats Pass

34 km