Homepage Sights of Armenia Makaravank Monastery

Makaravank Monastery

Region

Tavush

Distance from Yerevan

153.6 km

Type

Monastery/Church

Makaravank is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located 3 km southwest of Achajur village in the Tavush region, at the foot of Mount Paytatap. The monastery is considered an important landmark of Armenian religious architecture, renowned for its unique, rich, and diverse ornaments, placing it among the masterpieces of Aghtamar, Bgheno-Noravank, and Gandzasar. The Monastic Complex Makaravank consists of Old and Main Churches, a narthex, Saint Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, a reliquary, a chapel, a spring, fortification walls, a cemetery and residential and auxiliary buildings. The Main Church, according to a khachkar inscription nearby, was built in 1205. It has a rectangular exterior, cross-shaped interior, and a domed structure with two-story vestries on both sides of the altar. A second church, located in the northeastern part of the complex, dates back to the 10th–11th centuries. The Saint Astvatsatsin Church, situated in the eastern part, was built in 1198. The monastery also includes the narthex, built in 1207, and a reliquary from the 13th century.

Interesting

facts about Makaravank Monastery

Facts

"A. According to legend, in the 8th century, there was only a small church at the site of the monastery. Master Makar and his son began building the monastery around it. The son carved and decorated the stones, while the father laid the walls. Makar was so devoted to his work that he even lived on the unfinished walls of the monastery. Years later, he realized something was wrong—the stones were not fitting properly, and the carvings looked different. When he called for his son, he was told that the boy had fallen ill however Makar realized that he passed away. Overcome with grief, Makar completed the monastery and threw himself from the church, and he was buried beneath its walls. The monastery was then named Makravank in his honor.

On the southern wall of the Main Church, below the window, there is a sculpture of an eagle clutching a bull in its talons—the coat of arms of the Vachutyan noble family.

Makaravank is home to some of the finest masterpieces of medieval Armenian art, including the relief sculptures on the altar façade of the Main Church, mythical creatures with human heads, serpentine fish, a carved figure of a man holding tools, inscribed with the word “Youth”.

Weather in Tavush

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 Makravank Monastery depends on the weather conditions.

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