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.
The well-established transport infrastructure of Armenia allows to get to Saghmosavank monastery by a private car or with the help of various travel companies which offer regular excursions and tours to different sights of the country. Due to the geographical location of Saghmosavank monastery the trip will not seem long.
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 Saghmosavank monastery depends on the weather conditions.
Saghmosavank monastery had become famous because of its unique repository of manuscripts. The storage building is practically the same height as the main church and is famous for its amazingly beautiful interior design. Once unique manuscripts were created and copied here. The scriptorium was built in 1255 by Prince Vachutyan and his wife in memory of their daughter Mamakhatun.
According to the legend, a little church was already functioning here in an earlier period. The first Armenian Catholicos Gregory the Illuminator, noticing this place from the top of Aragats in the 4th century, came here and built a church. Then he gathered priests here and taught them psalms.
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