Saghmosavank Monastery

Region

Aragatsotn

Distance from Yerevan

33 km

Type

Monastery/Church

Saghmosavank monastery is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. Saghmosavank is situated atop the steep gorge carved by the Kasagh river. The oldest building in the complex is Surb Zion (Holy Zion) Church, built by the prince of Ayrarat – Vache Vachutyan in 1215. Later, the Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), a book depository and a narthex appeared. Once the monastery was surrounded by a fortified protective wall, which has not survived to this day. There is an old cemetery to the north of Saghmosavank, where you can see many carved khachkars of the 13-14 centuries.