The Nor Varagavank Monastic Complex

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.