SacVoyage Travel, Armenian Tour Operator

Home :: Attractions :: Haghpat

Haghpat

The Monastery of Haghpat is located in the village of Haghbat. It is 6 km from the town of Alaverdi which is the regional capital. According to documentary sources the monastery was founded in 976 AD and the fortress of Kalan was built to protect it in 1233 AD. Like Sanahin, Haghbat was founded by the royal Bagratuni dynasty and it eventually became a spiritual center of the Kiurikians.

St Nshan Monastery of Haghbat consists of a number of structures which were built at various times between the 10th and the 13th centuries. Most prominent are the main church of St. Nshan, the gavit, the two small churches of S.Gregory and S.Astvatsatsin, the gavit or zhamatun of Bishop Hamazasp, a large hall linking these to the library, a refectory, a bell tower, mausolea and several khachkars. Situated outside the walls are other khachkars and the Haghbat fountain.