Haghartsin Monastery Complex

Name: Haghartsin Monastery Complex
Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex
Region: Tavush Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Haghartsin Monastery Complex

Other nomination: Haghartsin

Monument type: Church-Monastery Complex

Region: Tavush

Community: Dilijan

Residence: Haghartsin village

Location: 14 km from the town of Dilijan, left slope of a deep forested valley rich in cold springs.

Preservation: The structures of the monastery complex are partially or completely preserved. Reconstruction works were carried out in the Middle Ages, as well as during later periods.

Coordinates: 400 48′ 06. 53”N 44o53’27.11” E

Altitude: 1430 m

Era and chronology: The monastery complex dates back to the High Middle Ages, X-XIII centuries.

Haghartsin Monastery Complex: Where History and Natural Beauty Unite

As you explore the Haghartsin Monastery Complex, you embark on a journey through time, where history, art, and nature come together in perfect harmony. It is a place where the echoes of ancient prayers and the rustling of leaves in the forest blend seamlessly, offering a serene retreat for both the soul and the senses.

In fact, this monastery serves as a perfect example of architecture and nature coexisting in the most harmonious way, elevating each other and allowing you to immerse yourself in a transcendent emotional journey.

Nestled in the heart of Armenia’s Tavush region, amidst a lush forested valley adorned with countless cold springs, the Haghartsin Monastery Complex stands as a silent sentinel of centuries gone by. Located just 14 kilometers from the charming town of Dilijan, this historic gem, with its partially preserved structures, bears witness to a rich tapestry of history and culture.

At an elevation of 1430 meters, Haghartsin Monastery Complex transports you to the High Middle Ages, dating back to the 10th to 13th centuries. Its significance goes far beyond its architectural beauty; it harbors a treasure trove of over a hundred lithographs on its walls and tombstones. These intricate inscriptions offer a window into the history, socio-economic conditions, culture, and lifestyle of the Kayen and Mahkanaberd provinces.

The history of Haghartsin is one of destruction and renewal. It faced the ravages of time and war, undergoing reconstructions in the Middle Ages and later periods. A testament to its enduring spirit, the monastery complex has weathered invasions and the passage of centuries.

The architectural ensemble of Haghartsin is a testament to the creative genius of its builders. It boasts an array of structures, including St. Grigor Church, a venerable relic dating back to the 10th to 11th centuries. The church’s composition and construction speak of its early origins, corroborated by a renovation inscription from 1184. A historical event even confirms its existence, as the leader of Haghartsin participated in the consecration of St. Astvatsatsin Church of Goshavank in 1196.

The vestibule, a grand structure with four columns built in the 12th century by Ivane Zakaryan, showcases high sculptures on its corner ceilings, typical of 13th-century Armenian sculpture. Nearby lies a small chapel housing the tombstones of the Kiurikian kings.

St. Stepanos, built in 1244, stands as a testament to the enduring faith of its time. St. Katoghike Chapel, added to St. Grigor Church in 1194, is a small, vaulted gem.

However, the crowning jewel of Haghartsin is St. Astvatsatsin, constructed in 1281. This majestic cross-domed church, with its semi-circular Upper Tabernacle, stands parallel to St. Gregory Church. The intricate relief sculpture on its eastern facade, featuring a winged eagle atop a tower, is a masterpiece of artistry.

The refectory, constructed in 1248, is a remarkable example of civil and monastic architecture from the High Middle Ages. Its spacious hall, adorned with stone benches and two large carved altars, showcases the architectural finesse of its time. Notably, a colossal bronze cauldron discovered nearby, weighing 350 kilograms and bearing an Armenian inscription from 1232, is a testament to the artistry of metalworking in the region.

Legend intertwines with history at Haghartsin, where it is said that an eagle would soar above the main church dome during its consecration ceremonies, earning it the moniker of the “Playing Eagle Monastery” or simply “Haghartsin”.

FACTS

❈ Haghartsin Monastery Complex, nestled in Armenia’s Tavush region, dates back to the High Middle Ages (10th to 13th centuries) and offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Kayen and Mahkanaberd provinces.

❈ Despite facing destruction and invasions, the monastery complex endures as a historic gem, featuring over a hundred
lithographs on its walls and tombstones.

❈ The complex’s architectural ensemble includes structures like St. Grigor Church, the vestibule with high sculptures, and
St. Astvatsatsin, a majestic cross-domed church with intricate relief sculpture.

❈ Haghartsin’s refectory, constructed in 1248, showcases civil and monastic architecture from the High Middle Ages, and a colossal
bronze cauldron bearing an Armenian inscription from 1232 is a testament to the region’s metalworking artistry.

❈ Legend and history intertwine at Haghartsin, where it’s known as the “Playing Eagle Monastery” due to the legend of an eagle soaring
above the main church dome during consecration ceremonies.

🔍 Research history

Studies about the monastery refer to architectural structures and lithographs. St. Stepanos, St. Grigor, A. Astvatsatsin churches were repaired in the 1670-80s. The monastery was destroyed during the invasion of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar at the end of the XVIII century. It functioned again in 1862 and was renovated in 1901. The roofs of the refectory and vestibule were covered with tiles, and the monument doors were repaired with the efforts of the Monument Preservation Committee in 1936. The tile roof in the dining room was demolished and replaced with a metal roof sheet in 1969. The complex was completely renovated with the support of the Pan-Armenian Fund and Sheikh Sultan ben Muhammad Al-Qasimi in the 2000s.

🧱 Archaeological description

The monastery complex consists of St. Grigor Church, the vestibule, Katoghike, St. Stepanos, St. Astvatsatsin churches, the refectory, chapels, khachkars.

Architecture
St. Grigor Church is one of the oldest structures of the complex. Although there are no historical and lithographic evidences regarding the construction, the researchers definitely date it to the X-XI centuries, based on the composition and construction of the monument. The 1184 renovation inscription (stating that the monastery was destroyed by the Seljuks in the XI century and was renovated in the above mentioned year) of St. Grigor Church also indicates the early existence of the monastery. In addition, the early existence of the monastery is confirmed by a historical event as well. The leader of Haghartsin monastery also participated in the consecration ceremony of St. Astvatsatsin Church of Goshavank (New Getikivank) in 1196. The church has a cross dome design. The inner walls were covered with lime mortar, traces of murals have been preserved on them. The only entrance to the church opens from the vestibule on the western side.

Gavit (the vestibule) is a large structure with four columns built by Ivane Zakaryan in the XII century. The high sculptures of the corner ceilings of the vestibule (images of people, birds, angels, roses, as well as inscriptions) are typical of the XIII century Armenian sculpture. There is a small chapel containing the Kiurikian kings’ tombstones near the southern wall of the vestibule. In the eastern part of the church is the domed church of St. Stephanos (1244) built of bluish basalt. There is an inscription on the southern wall of the church relating to the restoration of the monument. St. Katoghike chapel was attached to St. Grigor church from the northern side in 1194. It is a small, vaulted building with a gable roof, the entrance is in the western wall.

St. Astvatsatsin is the main monument of the complex built in 1281. It is located parallel to St. Gregory Church, on the northern side. Only the lower rows of walls and anchors of four columns have been preserved from the western side vestibule. St. Astvatsatsin is a large (11.0×14.5m) cross-domed church with a semi-circular Upper Tabernacle with entrances to the narrow repositories. The western and southern entrances open into the prayer hall, highlighted with beautiful porticoes. The relief structure of the church is located at the top of the eastern facade, above the two windows of the upper chancel. In the center of the sculpture is the church miniature with a winged eagle perched on top of the tower. There are standing people on the right and left sides. Based on their outfit and the presence of staffs by their sides, the tutors were assumed to be clergymen. A lintel stone with Mother of God enthroned with baby Christ in her arms in the center, is located inside the church.

The refectory is one of the well-preserved examples of the monastic complex and civil architecture of the High Middle Ages. It is located on the western side of the complex, apart from the main group. According to the inscription preserved on the door frame, it was built on the initiative of Minas and Grigor architects in 1248, during the reign of the monastery leader Hovhannes Armanatsi. Internally (9.0×21.0m) it is a spacious hall of more than 200 square meters, with two windows in the southern wall. It has two entrances from the southern and western sides. The spacious hall with a pair of low gables in the middle, is divided into two squares. The ceiling rests on four intersecting arches and is one of the finest examples of this type of buildings. The monument has two large carved altars inside. There are stone benches along the inside walls.

🔨 Findings

A huge bronze cauldron was found under the wall of the Haghartsin refectory at the end of the XIX century: it is the largest among the ones known in the Caucasus and weighs 350 kilograms. It is one of the high art samples of metalworking. There is an Armenian inscription on the upper part of the cauldron indicating that it was cast in 1232 by the order of priest Zosima. The four hangers of the cauldron represent small statues of lions, the legs are also shaped. Similar cauldrons were widely used in monasteries to prepare the common meal of the congregation.

🌍 Significance

There are over a hundred large and small lithographs on the walls and tombstones of the Haghartsin churches conveying important information about the history, socio-economic situation, culture and lifestyle of Kayen and Mahkanaberd provinces.

📜 Traditional legends

According to the legend, an eagle soars on top of the main church dome during the monastery’s consecration ceremony, thus it becomes known as the Playing (or Soaring) Eagle Monastery (“hagh” meaning game and “artsin” meaning eagle), from which the word “Haghartsin” originates.

📚 Sources

Literature

Kirakos Gandzaketsi 1961, History of Armenians, vol. K. Melik-Ohanjanyan, Yerevan, USSR Academy of Sciences, 427 pages.
Diva of Armenian lithography 1977, Ijevan region, prak VI, compiled by S. Avagyan and H. Janpoladyan, Yerevan, ASSR Academy of Sciences ed., 223 pages.
H. Yeghiazaryan 1954, Haghartsin Monastery and its lithographic inscriptions, “Echmiadzin”, N9, pp. 32-41, N10, pp. 38-43, N 11,
pp. 31-36.
Harutyunyan 1992, History of Armenian Architecture, Yerevan, “Luys”, 540 pages.
V. Harutyunyan, S. Safaryan 1951, Monuments of Armenian Architecture, Moscow, State. ed. literature on construction and
architecture, 241s.