Shatin Monastery

The monastery complex was built in the 10th century, but it has been rebuilt many times and has lost its original appearance. The main information about it has come down to us through the historian Stepanos Orbelian.

Inside the now dilapidated walls stands the church: a secret passage opens in the wall of its vestry, and frescoes are preserved on the altar wall. Around it remain ruins of other structures, 10th–14th-century khachkars (cross-stones) and inscriptions with their fragments.

Besides religious life, the monastery was important in education, science and crafts. An oil mill, a water mill, many auxiliary buildings, a canal and a bridge testify to its economic power, and its favourable location and close ties with the regions of Jughia and Gokt’n helped it prosper.

In the 17th century Shativank was an important centre of manuscript writing with its own school and scriptorium, and Hakob Jughayetsi, author of many manuscripts, made a great contribution to it. In 1661, while still alive, he was honoured with a khachkar erected in his name.