Kobayr Monastery Complex

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

Name: Kobayr Monastery Complex

Other nomination: Kobayr

Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex

Region: Lori

Community: Tumanyan

Residence: Tumanyan town

Location: The monastery complex is located on the brink of a rocky gorge of the Debed River. Due to the inaccessible terrain, it is quite difficult to reach the monument group.

Preservation: The three churches of the complex, the refectory, the remains of chapels, khachkars and fortress wall have been partially preserved, and the belfry-tomb, which has been restored.

Coordinates: 410 00′ 18.32” N 44o38’03.63” E

Altitude: 980 m

Era and chronology:The monastery structures date back to the High Middle Ages, XII-XIII centuries.

Kobayr: A Hidden Jewel of Medieval Armenian Architecture and Spirituality

Reaching the Kobayr Monastery Complex is no small feat, owing to its perilous location in the mesmerizing town of Tumanyan. Hidden amidst the rugged terrain, this secluded gem defies easy access, preserving an air of mystery and intrigue.

However, once you arrive, the reward for your journey is immeasurable. Your eyes will witness breathtaking sights, and your soul will be touched.

As you explore the intricate tapestry of this 12th-century Monastery Complex, you’ll not only marvel at the architectural prowess of artisans from the past, but also feel the rich history, spirituality, and dedication that still lingers within these ancient stone walls.

Perched on the edge of a rocky gorge, hidden within the rugged landscape of Lori, Armenia, lies the Kobayr Monastery Complex, a treasure of medieval architectural splendor.. Often referred to simply as Kobayr, this monumental complex is a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship and spiritual significance of the region during the High Middle Ages, specifically in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Kobayr’s allure is partly due to its remote location, nestled on the brink of a rocky gorge along the Debed River. The challenging terrain, with inaccessible niches and caves that once served as hermitages, makes the journey to this historical gem all the more adventurous. In close proximity to the complex is the extraordinary giant cave known as “Sghnakh,” notable for its immense size and challenging accessibility, offering a unique contrast to the complex’s architectural beauty.

At the heart of Kobayr is its main church, a marvel of late 12th-century architecture, though partially destroyed over time. The church boasts a longitudinally stretched single-nave hall, adorned with two entrances. The northern entrance leads to an outer hall, though now in ruins, while the western entrance stands at a striking distance from the surrounding rock. This church showcases intricate architectural elements, splendid window parapets adorned with carvings and rosettes, and a wicker cross that stretches toward the heavens. Although time has taken its toll, fragments of frescoes within the church still reveal the artistry and elegance of the era. The chapel repository, with square proportions and built in the 13th century, sits to the north of the main church. Inside, you’ll find depictions of the Virgin Mary and the portraits of generous sponsors. An open hall dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries is attached to both the large church and the chapel repository, preserving traces of frescoes. Tombstones line the floor, bearing witness to generations of devotion.

One of the oldest structures at Kobayr is the “Mariamashen” church, perched precariously on the eastern edge of the complex. Its construction, dating back to 1171, was a testament to the devout King Kiurike II’s daughter, Mariam. A smaller chapel was later appended to its southern wall, revealing the site’s continuous spiritual evolution.

Kobayr’s architectural diversity is further enriched by the rare and unique belfry-tomb, constructed in the 13th century. This structure’s combination of functions is nothing short of remarkable. With a sundial etched on the eastern side of the southern window, this belfry was restored in recent years. The Georgian inscription on its entrance reveals that it was commissioned by Mkhargrdzel, son of Shahnshah amirspasalar, and his wife Vaneni, in 1279. Moreover, a Greek inscription on the tomb entrance succinctly spells “ΕΚ°,” an abbreviation for the word “church.”

Kobayr Monastery holds more than just architectural allure; it carries a profound historical and spiritual significance. The complex is intricately connected to the illustrious Armenian princely houses of the time, including the Bagratunis and the Georgian Zakarian dynasty. Notable figures from these families, such as Shahnshah, Georgi, and Mkhargrdzel, rest in peace within Kobayr’s hallowed grounds.

The findings from excavations near the belfry-tomb, including pottery, metal artifacts, glass fragments, sculpted stones, and pieces of roof tiles, offer a tantalizing glimpse into the life and times of the medieval residents of Kobayr.

The name “Kobayr” itself is shrouded in legend. Some believe it originates from the Georgian word “kob,” meaning grotto or cave, linking the monastery to its awe-inspiring natural surroundings. A popular local legend attributes disputes over Kobayr’s ownership to a colloquial question: “Is this your fortress?” in Armenian, which sounds like “qo berd.”

FACTS

❈ The Kobayr Monastery Complex in Lori, Armenia, a marvel of medieval architecture from the 12th and 13th centuries, perches on the edge of a rocky gorge by the Debed River.

❈ Kobayr’s remote location in rugged terrain, with niches and caves used as hermitages, adds an adventurous element to the journey.

❈ The main church, a late 12th-century architectural wonder, features a single-nave hall, exquisite architectural elements, window parapets with carvings, and fragments of elegant frescoes.

❈ The chapel repository, built in the 13th century, adjoins the main church and houses depictions of the Virgin Mary, along with tombstones bearing witness to generations of devotion.

❈ Kobayr’s diverse architecture includes the “Mariamashen” church, a unique belfry-tomb with a sundial, and a rich historical connection to Armenian princely houses. Excavations near the belfry-tomb have unveiled glimpses of medieval life, and the name “Kobayr” is steeped in legend, linked to its awe-inspiring surroundings.

🔍 Research history

Historians Vardan Areveltsi, Mkhitar Airivanetsi, Kirakos Gandzaketsi testify about the monastery complex. The researchers thoroughly referred to the architecture, lithography and frescoes of the complex. Due to the belfry-tomb restoration works, excavations were carried out around the structure in 2012 (expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, led by H. Melkonyan), in the same year, cleaning excavation works were carried out in the refectory.

🧱 Archaeological description

Location
The deep gorge is on the eastern side of the main church, on the northern side is the repository chapel, on the eastern side, on the brink of the rock is the tumbledown single-nave “Mariamashen” church, the oldest structure of the complex. The belfry is located in the northern part of the main church. There are inaccessible niches, shelters and caves in the rocks bordering the area, some of them were fortified with walls and served as hermitages. In the vicinity of the monument group, the giant cave “Sghnakh” with flowing water, is exceptional particularly with its size and difficult site conditions.

Architecture
The main church (late XII century) is now partially destroyed; the altar, the northern and western walls, the lower two rows of the southern wall have been preserved. It is a longitudinally stretched single-nave hall (10.40×8.50m). It has 2 entrances: the main is the northern one opening into an outer hall (destroyed), the other one opens from the west, at a distance of 1.5 – 2 m from the encountered rock. The tabernacle has five windows placed in two rows (3 in the lower row), each of which has triangular niches on both sides. There were narrow windows in the inter-arched openings of the flanking arches of the northern wall, which are now closed. The eastern facade is distinguished by architectural elements, magnificent window parapets combined with carvings and rosettes, with a wicker cross occupying most of the height. The preserved remains of frescoes testify to their high art and elegance. The frescoes of the altar form 3 rows, the upper one (on the dome) depicts the Mother of God with the Child (Odegitria). There are archangels on its both sides, in the middle is a communion scene (Eucharist), and at the bottom are figures of saints. Rows are separated by bands. On the walls of the stage were figures of prophets; the image of Elijah on the northern wall is in a relatively good condition. Cleaning works were carried out in 1967, and the murals were fixed in 1971.

The chapel repository with square proportions (XIII century) is adjacent to the church from the north. The entrance is from the west, covered with a wicker parapet. Virgin Mary and portraits of sponsors are depicted on the northern and western walls. The open hall (XII-XIII centuries) was attached to the large church and the chapel-repository from the north; among them the wall arches next to the church, the 3-corner wall facades, the north-western facade and the octagonal anchors of the 2 mediate columns on the northern side have been preserved. Traces of frescoes have been preserved inside. The floor is covered with tombstones.

Tumbledown single-nave “Mariamashen” church (1171) is on the eastern side of the main church, directly on the brink of the rock. According to the construction record of the entrance hall, the church was built by Mariam, King Kiurike II’s daughter. In fact, it is earliest dating monument among the Kobayr monument group. A chapel built with hewn stones was later attached to the southern wall of “Mariamashen” church. Another smaller chapel was attached to the eastern side.

The belfry-tomb (XIII century) is located in the northern part of the main church in a higher position. A sundial is carved on the eastern side of the southern window. The belfry was restored in 2012-2014. The structure is one of the rare buildings of its type; the combination of the belfry and tomb is remarkable. According to the Georgian inscription on the eastern side of the entrance, the belfry was built by Mkhargrdzel, son of Shahnshah amirspasalar, and his wife Vaneni, in 1279. On the lintel of the tomb entrance there is a Greek inscription consisting of three letters ΕΚ°, which is an abbreviation of the word church.

The monastery refectory (XIII century) is located in the north-western elevated part of the main church, only 2.5 m away from the belfry-tomb, almost in a north-southern position. It is a spacious rectangular hall (12.1×8.2m). The main entrance, with a 1.7m opening, is from the north. The structure also had an entrance from the south-eastern side.

There is a single-nave vaulted, hall church (XIII century) to the north of the monument group, not far from the main entrance of the wall, on a sloping site.

The Chitakhants Monastery (XIII century) is located to the south-east of the monument complex, at about 0.5 km distance. It is a single-nave rectangular hall covered with a semi-cylindrical vault under a gabled roof. It is noteworthy that the church has an underground family tomb. The entrance to the inner floor is from the east, below the ground level with stairs (the entrance and the ground floor are now filled with soil).

🔨 Findings

A small number of pottery, metal, glass findings, fragments of roof tiles, and sculptured stones were found as a result of the belfry-tomb excavations.

🌍 Significance

Kobayr Monastery is one of the prominent monument groups of the developed medieval Armenian architecture, with the history closely connected with the activities of the prominent medieval Armenian princely houses: the Kiurikian branch of the Bagratunis and the Georgian representatives of the Zakarian dynasty (Shahnshah, Giorgi, Mkhargrdzel). The graves of Zakare’s son Shahnshah, Georgi, Mkhargrdzel (long-armed) from the Zakaryan dynasty and other prominent spiritual and secular figures are in Kobayr.i.

📜 Traditional legends

People explain the name Kobayr as “Ayrivank”, grotto, cave, from the Georgian word “kob”. According to a preserved legend on the name, the monastery became the apple of discord and, from time to time, while disputing over its ownership, the following thought was expressed: “Is this your fortress?”(“qo berd” in Armenian)

📚 Sources

Literature

Divan of the Armenian lithography 2012, Lori marz, study IX, compiled by S. Barkhudaryan, K. Ghafadaryan, S. Saghumyan, Yerevan, “Science”, 612 pages.
Miridjanyan, A. Babajanyan 2014, Results of the Kobayr monastery complex belfry excavations, History and Philology Journal N1, pp. 155-163.
Muradyan P. 1977, Georgian Inscriptions of Armenia, Yerevan, 362 pages.
Shakhkyan G. 1986, Lori. Stone pages of history, Yerevan, “Armenia”, 184 pages.
Durnovo L. 1979, Essays on the Fine Arts of Medieval Armenia, Moscow, Art, 331p.
Drampyan I. 1979, Frescoes of Kobayr, Yerevan, ‹‹Sovetakan groh››, p. 72.
Khalpakhchyan O. 1971, Civil architecture of Armenia, Moscow, Ed. construction literature, p. 246.

List of monuments. Lori N 5.4.1.7

📷 Gallery

General plan of the monastic complex (Shakhkyan 1986, p. 42).
Plan of the main church and adjacent structures (Shakhkyan 1986, p. 43).
Plan of the dining room (Shakhkyan 1986, p. 45).
Plan of belfry and adjacent buildings (measurement: A. Jalalyan).
The monastery from the south-east (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The frescoes of the main church (photo by T. Aleksanyan).
The belfry-tomb (photo by D. Davtyan).
The Greek inscription of the belfry (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
Two-stage processing of the rock inside the belfry (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The general view of the belfry-tomb (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The drainage pipe of the belfry in the west (photo by D. Mirijanyan).
The room with the hearth excavated next to the northern wall of the belfry (photo by D. Mirijanyan).