Sevanavank Monastery

The monastery was founded in 305, and two churches in 874. Sevanavank Monastery is located on the peninsula of Sevan (formerly an island). Gregory the Illuminator founded the monastery in 305. The island has been fortified with fences since the Bronze Age. It is believed that there was a pagan temple here. The princes of Syunik province founded a stronghold here in IX century.

Mariam - the daughter of King Ashot Bagratuni, the wife of Prince of Syunik Vasak Gabura, founded here two churches: Arakelots (smaller one) and Surb Astvatsatsin (St. Mother of God). These are small cross-domed churches with three apses. There have been preserved ancient building records on the eastern side of the dome of Arakelots church. St. Astvatsatsin church is located near Arakelots church. A narthex (it is considered one of the oldest narthexes in Armenia) was added to the western side of the church. Columns of the narthex were crowned with wooden ornamented capitals, which are currently stored in the History Museum of Armenia and the Hermitage. It is assumed that the capitals were brought from unknown palace building. These are really valuable works of Armenian medieval woodworking art.

Abandoned during the Soviet period and severely damaged in the earthquake of 1936, the monastery was not revived until the 1990s. Nowadays it is one of the most famous touristic locations for Armenia.