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Sights of Armenia Tavush

The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex

  • RegionTavush
  • Distance from Yerevan186.8 km
  • TypeMonastery/Church

Tavush

About this place

The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex is located 3.5 km southwest of Varagavan village in Tavush region, on a high cliff surrounded by forested mountains. According to inscriptions that have survived to this day, the monastery dates back to the 12th century and served as the monastic and burial site of the Kyurikid-Bagratuni dynasty. Originally, the monastery was called Anapat but in the 13th century, it was renamed Nor Varagavank after the famous Varaga Monastery in Vaspurakan was destroyed by the Mongols. In 1213, the spiritual leader of Varaga Monastery, Ghukas, relocated the holy relics from Varaga, including a piece of the Holy Cross brought by the Hripsimian Virgins, to Anapat. Monastic Complex includes St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, Anapat Church, a two-story burial vault, a chapel, small and large narthexes. The main structure, St. Astvatsatsin Church, features a simple interior but is richly decorated with diverse relief carvings on its exterior. The decorations include stylized tree of life motifs, animal figures with human heads, birds and geometric patterns, etc. The main design of the porch was influenced by the 12th-century porch of Ani.

Interesting

facts about The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex

  1. According to the memoirs of the Varaga Monastery's spiritual leader, after the relics were brought to Anapat, the monastery was renamed ""Nor Varaga"" (New Varaga), leading to its modern name, Nor Varagavank.

  2. In addition to the main structures, the surrounding area included monastic dwellings, a cemetery, and the ruins of a small chapel.

  3. The 13th-century historians Kirakos Gandzaketsi and Vardan Areveltsi provided valuable historical records about the monastery.

  4. Ancient inscriptions on the monastery walls and khachkars (cross-stones) suggest that a settlement existed on the site as early as the mid-12th century.

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 Nor Varagavank depends on the weather conditions.

The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex

FAQ

Where is Nor Varagavank Monastery?

The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex stands 3.5 km southwest of Varagavan village in Tavush region, on a high cliff surrounded by forested mountains.

When was Nor Varagavank built?

According to surviving inscriptions, the monastery dates back to the 12th century and served as the monastic and burial site of the Kyurikid-Bagratuni dynasty. Inscriptions on its walls and khachkars suggest that a settlement stood on the site as early as the mid-12th century.

Why is the monastery called Nor Varagavank?

It was originally called Anapat. After the famous Varaga Monastery in Vaspurakan was destroyed by the Mongols, its spiritual leader Ghukas brought its holy relics here in 1213, including a piece of the Holy Cross brought by the Hripsimian Virgins, and the monastery was renamed Nor Varaga, meaning New Varaga.

What can you see at Nor Varagavank?

The complex includes St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, Anapat Church, a two-story burial vault, a chapel and small and large narthexes. St. Astvatsatsin has a simple interior, but its exterior is richly carved with stylized trees of life, animal figures with human heads, birds and geometric patterns, and its porch was influenced by the 12th-century porch of Ani.

Which historians wrote about Nor Varagavank?

Valuable records about the monastery were left by the 13th-century historians Kirakos Gandzaketsi and Vardan Areveltsi.

Tavush

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Address

4216, Armenia

Tavush

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