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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Sanahin monastery<\/p><\/div>\n
More than 50 Khachkars (cross-stones) have been preserved in that territory of this monastery complex. The most valuable ones are the works of Grigor Tuteordi which are excellent samples of medieval Armenian sculpture art.<\/p>\n
Haghpat<\/h3>\n
The monastery complex of Haghpat was founded in 976 by Ashot III Voghormats. It lies on a plateau encircled by gorges. This complex was one of the largest cultural centers of medieval Armenia, where numerous manuscripts such as the \u201cThe Gospel of Haghpat\u201d were written.<\/p>\n
The general complex includes the monastery of St. Nshan, two churchyards, three chapels, refectory, bell tower, library, gravestones and khachkars. The oldest structure of the building is St. Nshan church, which was built from 976 to 991 by Ashot III\u2019s wife – Khosrovanush. This church is one of the best examples of a new architectural direction adopted throughout the medieval period of Armenia.<\/p>\n
The bell tower of Haghpat is a three-storey astoundingly symmetric building located on the eastern side of the complex, on the first two floors of which seven worship places are situated.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Haghpat monastery<\/p><\/div>\n
Also, it is worth noting that the monastery complex used to be rich in frescos, from which only the first layer of the chapel\u2019s wall paintings has been preserved that depicts Jesus sitting on the throne.<\/p>\n
Etchmiadzin Cathedral<\/h3>\n
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic church and one of the best examples of Christian era architectural monuments. The latter was built in the early 4th century, right after Christianity was spread by Gregory the Illuminator and acknowledged as the state religion of Armenia.<\/p>\n
According to the 5th century Armenian historians, the first Christian churches were built in the place of pagan temples, and Etchmiadzin is not an exception. Studies had shown that before the establishment of this cathedral there was a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis and the sacrifice altar found right under the Christian one comes to crystalize this claim.<\/p>\n
The cathedral was reconstructed in the 7th century by Nerses II and Komitas patriarchs. The bell tower and the museum were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively. The museum is noted for its large collection of manuscripts and artworks of different periods which also includes collections of old Armenian coins, carpets, paintings, etc.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Etchmiadzin Cathedral<\/p><\/div>\n
The altar of Etchmiadzin<\/h4>\n
It is no secret that one of the most important parts of every religious building is the altar where the liturgy is served. The excavations carried out in 1958 discovered a small 5th-century sanctuary was found which according to some historical sources was built by Vahan Mamikonyan. As a result of this finding, the columns, the base of the altar and the stage were opened to make the structure accessible for others.<\/p>\n
Moreover, it is worth noting that as a result of further observation of the territory remnants of another altar were found. According to the researchers, this one was constructed before the 5th century by Gregory the Illuminator.<\/p>\n
Zvartnots Cathedral<\/h3>\n
The temple of Zvarnots was built from 641 to 661 Nerses IIl Catholicos and is considered to be one of the distinctive examples of Armenian church building history. This was a three-storey cylindrical structure with gradually dwindling floors. The structure had five entries and was covered by sculptures of grapevines and statues of 32 well-known saints. Unfortunately, only 9 of them reached our days.<\/p>\n
In 1989 the structure got included in the list of world heritage monuments by UNESCO.<\/p>\n