Haghpat Monastery Complex

Name: Haghpat Monastery Complex
Monument type: Church- Monastic Complex
Region: Lori Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Haghpat Monastery Complex

Other nomination: Haghpat

Monument type: Monastery complex

Region: Lori Province

Community: Alaverdi

Residence: Haghpat village

Location: It is located in the south-eastern hillside of Haghpat village, on a plateau, well protected by Surb Luys and Terunakan peaks of the Lori mountain range on one side, by the canyons containing Saghik and Kayan rivers on the other side, and by Debet gorge on the western side.

Preservation: The structures of the monastery complex are almost completely preserved. Reconstruction works were constantly carried out in the monastery.

Coordinates: 410 05’40. N 44042’44”E

Altitude: 1020 m

Era and chronology: High Middle Ages, X-XIII centuries

Haghpat Monastery Complex: A UNESCO World Heritage Marvel

As you listen to the whispers of the wind that echo through the timeless Lori mountains, you’re about to embark on a journey that unveils the extraordinary power of architecture and the captivating allure of a UNESCO-listed marvel.

In the heart of the Lori region, where the winds carry with them the whispers of history, the Haghpat Monastery Complex which dates to the High Middles Ages, stands as an embodiment of cultural and spiritual heritage, inviting you to explore its rich tapestry of centuries-old stories and architectural excellence.

Perched on the picturesque southeastern hillside of Haghpat village, at an altitude of 1,020 meters, the Haghpat Monastery Complex provides a visual spectacle surrounded by the Lori mountain range in the Lori region of Armenia. This marvellous UNESCO World Heritage site stands as an architectural and spiritual testament to the grandeur of the past.

Nestled amidst the cradle of nature, protected by the mighty peaks of Surb Luys and Terunakan and ensconced between the canyons that house the Saghik and Kayan rivers, this complex is an epitome of architectural prowess, religious significance, and historical grandeur.

One of the striking aspects of Haghpat is the astonishing state of preservation of its structures. Despite centuries of history, the architectural elements within this monastery complex have been meticulously maintained. Over the years, reconstruction work has been an ongoing process, ensuring that the heritage of Haghpat continues to be appreciated and admired.

The Complex encapsulates the ethos of the High Middle Ages, spanning from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Its remarkable structures tell the story of Armenian architecture, culture, and spirituality during this era. The complex includes several notable elements, each with its unique significance:

St. Nshan Church: One of the oldest structures within Haghpat, this church was initiated by Queen Khosrovanuysh and her sons in 976, a labor of devotion completed in 991. Its rectangular exterior conceals an interior of cross-shaped design, featuring two-story repositories in the corners. An intricately carved frame adorns the western side entrance, and the church once boasted frescoes that have endured the test of time.

The Vestibule: Adjacent to St. Nshan Church, the vestibule, dating back to 1185, is celebrated for its architectural significance. Over the years, it underwent expansion and extensive roof reconstruction in 1209-1210.

St. Astvatsatsin Church: This church, located on the northern side of the vestibule, is a rectangular structure externally but features a cross-shaped plan inside. Its western entrance, richly adorned with a carved frame, invites visitors to explore its inner sanctum.

St. Grigor Church: On the southern side of the vestibule stands St. Grigor Church, an externally rectangular structure with a cross-shaped internal layout, which was constructed in 1025.

Hamazasp Zhamatun (Vestibule): The construction of this vast vestibule, the largest among the four-column vestibules of medieval Armenia, dates back to 1257, during the tenure of Bishop Hamazasp.

Scriptorium-Matenadaran: Located on the southern side of Hamazasp Vestibule, this building is emblematic of Armenian scriptorium centers of the Middle Ages. It houses the renowned “Haghpat Gospel,” a masterpiece of miniature art.

Belfry: The distinctive three-story belfry, dating to 1245, stands apart from other structures. Its quadrangular design and stone stairs leading to the second and third floors make it an architectural marvel.

Refectory: The oblong hall of the refectory, with two columns dividing it into two equal sections, provides insight into the dining arrangements of the time.

Chapel-Tombs and Khachkars: These serve as memorials and are notable for their artistic representations and symbolic significance.

The name ‘Haghpat’ is not just a label but a testament to an age-old legend. It tells the story of a father and son, both skilled craftsmen, who, during the construction of the Sanahin monastery, had a falling out. The son departed the site in a fit of anger and took his craftsmanship elsewhere, building a monastery for another royal patron. Yet, as fate would have it, the partially built monastery of Haghpat continued to grow even when the son had left, which was noticed from the grounds of his new project. An iconic moment occurred when the father, on a Sunday, approached the unfinished monastery, took a long look, and, gently tapping one of its walls, uttered the words “Hakh wall,” signifying its strength. This simple phrase led to reconciliation between the master and his son, and the monastery was aptly named ‘Haghpat’ in recognition of this significant moment. This tale of reconciliation remains embedded in the very essence of the monastery’s name.

FACTS

❈ Haghpat Monastery Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Lori region of Armenia, nestled in the Lori mountain range.

❈ It stands at an altitude of 1,020 meters, surrounded by natural beauty and protected by mighty peaks and canyons.

❈ The complex showcases exceptional preservation, with ongoing reconstruction efforts to maintain its architectural and historical significance.

❈ It represents the High Middle Ages, spanning from the 10th to the 13th centuries, and embodies Armenian architecture, culture, and spirituality.

❈ Key elements of the complex include St. Nshan Church, the Vestibule, St. Astvatsatsin Church, St. Grigor Church, Hamazasp Vestibule, Scriptorium-Matenadaran, Belfry, Refectory, and Chapel-Tombs with Khachkars.

❈ The name ‘Haghpat’ is rooted in a legend of reconciliation between a father and son, master craftsmen, during the monastery’s construction.

❈ The phrase “Hakh wall” symbolizes the strength of the partially built monastery and the mending of their relationship, giving rise to the monastery’s name.

🔍 Research history

The detailed source research about the monastery complex was carried out by K. Ghafadaryan, which resulted his first monograph about Haghpat to be printed. Later, many more studies were done about the architectural structures and lithographs of the complex. During the Soviet years, the complex was regularly repaired, restored and improved (architects: A. Tamanyan in 1927, N. Tokarski in 1929, A. Avetisyan in 1930, A. Balasanyan in 1950, A. Balasanyan in 1954-1955). H. Hakobyan, 1965-1966: V. Khachatryan, 1973-1975: H. Gasparyan). The monastery was returned to the administration of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 1989 by the decision of the government of Soviet Armenia.

🧱 Archaeological description

Location
The monastery complex includes St. Nshan, St. Gregory, St. Astvatsatsin churches, the vestibule, the zhamatun, the scriptorium-library, the belfry, the refectory, the chapel-tombs, the spring and khachkars. The territory of the monastery is surrounded by fences repaired in 1120. The spring, the Kusanats Anapat church and others are located outside the fence.

Architecture
St. Nshan Church is one of the oldest structures of the complex. It was founded by the initiative of Queen Khosrovanuysh and her sons in 976 and was completed in 991: the inscription about the foundation is on the church drum. It is externally rectangular and internally cross-shaped, with two-story repositories in the corners. The door is on the western side with a carved frame.

In the upper part of the eastern facade, in a rectangular niche, there is a relief sculpture of the monastery founder Queen Khosrovanuysh’s two sons, Kyurike and Smbat, holding f the church model. The church walls were covered with frescoes. Among the Upper Tabernacle frescoes, the first layer has reached to us with Christ depicted on the throne. Below were the Annunciation, Genesis and Baptism scenes. Sadun Artsruni and his son Khutlubugain are depicted on the southern wall with their full length. Based on an old legend, XIX century chronicler, abbot of Sanahin monastery Hovhan Khrimetsi, refers the construction of St. Nshan church to Trdat, the prominent architect of Ani: other researchers find it possible as well (K. Ghafadaryan). The structure has reached us without significant transformations. The vestibule, one of the famous monuments of the Armenian architecture, is adjacent to the Nshan church on the western side. It was attached to the main church in 1185. The church was expanded, and the roof underwent major reconstruction in 1209-1210.

St. Astvatsatsin Church is located on the northern side of the vestibule. Externally it is a rectangular structure, internally cross-planned with rectangular cross arms. The entrance is on the western side with a carved frame.

St. Grigor Church is located on the southern side of the vestibule. Externally it is a rectangular, internally cross-planned structure with rectangular cross arms built in 1025.

One of the most important structures of the monastery is the Hamazasp zhamatun or vestibule built during the monastery leader Bishop Hamazasp’s reign in 1257. In terms of size, it is the largest among the four-column vestibules of medieval Armenia.

Scriptorium-Matenadaran is located on the southern side of Hamazasp vestibule. In the XI century the old building of the scriptorium was here thoroughly built in the XIII century. It is a square-planned building, the arches extending from the pillars support the roof in a cross pattern forming the dome with a small round arch in the center. It is considered one of the famous scriptorium centers of medieval Armenia. The most notable is the “Haghpat Gospel”, one of the best examples of miniature art.

In the eastern part of the monument group, completely apart is the famous monument of Haghpat Monastery – the tower-like, three-story belfry. Its construction is referred to bishop brothers Hamazasp and Hovhannes, 1245. The plan of the belfry is quadrangular, three-story; stone stairs attached to the walls lead to the second and third floors.

The refectory is located in the northern part of the complex. It is an oblong hall divided into 2 identical parts by means of two columns installed along the expansion axis, each covered by a system of intersecting arches. The construction date is unknown.

The vaulted hall was the family tomb of the Kiurikyan Bagratunis, where high-ranking clergymen are buried. The entire floor of the hall is covered with tombstones. The Amenaprkichi khachkar is located here.

The memorial monuments have their unique significance in the complex. Among them are the three tombs of the Ukanants dynasty placed side by side near the wall in the northern part, which are small cube-shaped structures crowned with carved cross-stones.

The Kayan fortress is located about 2 km west of the Haghpat monastery on the promontory. It was built as a monastery shelter during foreign attacks in 1233. It was destroyed by the Mongols in 1236, but continued to be used in later centuries as well. It is currently tumbled-down. Sections of some of the circular towers and walls have been preserved. There is a tubled-down church in the fort known as Drsevank (Dsevank) in literature.

🔨 Findings

About 260 lithographic inscriptions dating back to the X-XVIII centuries, were documented and deciphered in the Haghpat monastery complex.

🌍 Significance

In 1996 the Haghpat monastery complex was included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

📜 Traditional legends

A prince calls a master to build the monastery of Sanahin. A father and a son arrive and begin to build, but while working, an argument breaks out between the father, the son and the assistant. As a result, the son gets angry with his father and leaves the construction site. The son goes to build a monastery for another prince. When the walls of the new monastery are raised, they notice from Sanahin that some structure is rising in front of it. The workers report it to their master. On Sunday, when everyone was resting, the master father comes to his son, approaches the walls of the half-built monastery and takes a long look. Everyone is looking forward to the master’s assessment. Putting his foot on one of the monastery walls, the father says: “Hakh wall” (meaning it is a real strong wall). Saying this, the master embraces his son and reconciles with him. The monastery is named HAGHPAT since that day.

📚 Sources

Literature

Diva of Armenian lithography 2012, Lori region, study IX, compiled by S. Barkhudaryan, K. Ghafadaryan, S. Saghumyan, Yerevan, “Science”, 612 pages.
Ghafadaryan K. 1963, Haghpat. Architectural structures and lithographic inscriptions, Yerevan, HSSR ed., 292 pages.
The Gospel of Haghpat 2012, a unique sample of miniatures of Ani, author-compiler K. Matevosyan, participating author: G. Eliazyan, Yerevan, “Nairi”, 61 pages.
Shakhkyan C. 1986, Lori. Stone pages of history, Yerevan, “Armenia”, 184 pages.
Khalpakhchyan O.1973, Architectural Ensemble of Armenia of the X-XIII centuries, Moscow, ‹‹Art››, 89 p.

List of monuments
Lori 5.60.33

📷 Gallery

The plan of the main structures of the monastery (Ghafadaryan 1963, 14).
The plan of St. Nshan church and vestibule (Ghafadaryan 1963, 22).
The plan of Hamazasp zhamatun (Ghafadaryan 1963, 51).
The monastery complex from the north-west (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
The relief sculpture of Kyurike and Smbat (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
The fresco of Christ in the Upper Tabernacle (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
The three-story belfry (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
The scriptorium from the inside (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
One of the miniatures of the “Gospel of Haghpat”, the entry of Christ to Jerusalem (Haghpat Gospel, 2012).