Saghmosavank

Saghmosavank: Where Wisdom and Enlightenment Are Etched to Every Stone

As you traverse the rolling hills and serene landscapes of Armenia’s Aragatsotn region, a hidden gem awaits in the charming village of Saghmosavan. The remarkable Saghmosavank Monastery Complex from the High Middle Ages is a historical enclave that has endured the passage of time, preserving within its walls a treasure trove of knowledge, spirituality, and cultural heritage. 

Saghmosavank beckons you with a compelling story that spans centuries, inviting you to explore its standing church, the Gavit and Gratun, and to immerse yourself in a world where enlightenment and faith converge.

Perched at an altitude of 1614 m, on the right side of the Kasagh valley, the Monastic Complex of Saghmosavank is a place where time has etched its story into the very stones that compose its complex.

Saghmosavank has its roots deep in the annals of history, dating back to the Early Middle Ages. However, the standing buildings we see today were constructed in the first half of the 13th century by the Vachutian princes. This sacred complex served as a spiritual and cultural epicenter in medieval Armenia. It was not merely a monastery but a center of learning and education.

The most famous historian, Vardan Areveltsi, founded a school here. Solitary hermits took refuge in the caves of the Kasagh gorge, seeking spiritual enlightenment. The monastery, originally founded by Gregory the Illuminator, underwent significant renovations in the 12th century, transforming it into a hub for manuscript copying and preservation.

The manuscripts of Saghmosavank, lovingly sheltered in cave-shelters during times of war and hardship, revealed their secrets to Rev. Khachik Dadyan in 1912. A list of manuscripts, inscribed by Vache A Vachutyan, contained 115 treasures. Their number grew over time, leading to the need for a dedicated library. St. Nshan of Aragats, among other Christian relics, found its sanctuary within the monastery’s walls. The writing center thrived here until the 17th century.

However, by the middle of the 18th century, the monastery’s existence fell into obscurity. It wasn’t until 1840, when H. bishop Shahkhatunyants rediscovered the site in a desolate state. In 1890, Khrimyan Hayrik initiated renovations, breathing new life into Saghmosavank. And more recently, between 1998 and 2000, the Department for the Protection of Monuments took up the mantle, undertaking comprehensive renovations to preserve this cultural treasure.

The Saghmosavank Monastery Complex is a visual masterpiece with several notable structures. It houses St. Sion and St. Astvatsatsin churches, a courtyard, a library, and wall and pedestal khachkars (cross-stones). The monastery is enveloped by an enclosure on three sides, with the northern side adorned by a vast cemetery and the ruins of residential buildings.

St. Sion church, completed in 1215 by Vache A., serves as the complex’s main church. From the outside, it appears rectangular, but on the inside, it reveals its cruciform nature. This domed hall boasts two-story vaults at each corner and a cylindrical drum topped with a pointed crown. The exterior is adorned with triangular niches, lending a touch of elegance to the structure.

Adjacent to St. Sion is the vestibule (Gavit), built by Vache A. and later repaired by his son Kurd A. It is a spacious hall supported by four columns, featuring a conical apse with intricate relief sculptures. Two entrances, one on the west and another on the south-west side, connect the Gavit to the churches and the library. The western arched porch, adorned with mosaic five-pointed stars and polygons, stands out as a highlight of the complex.

St. Astvatsatsin church, situated slightly apart from St. Sion, is a charming small chapel with a semicircular apse on the east side. The entrance, crowned with a dentil arch and graced by a mural of St. Gregory the Illuminator, exudes a sense of tranquility and devotion.

The writing room (Gratun), constructed in 1255 by Kurd A. and his wife Khorishah in memory of their late daughter Mamakhatun, is a square, pillarless structure with a cusped dome and a two-story depository. The central square is adorned with a polygonal drum featuring a colonnaded rotunda, where multi-colored stones in a radial arrangement create a mesmerizing visual display. The interior is richly decorated with various ornaments, and large shelf-niches in the south wall were designed to store books. The west facade of the Gratun features a cruciform window, adding a touch of religious symbolism.

As with many historical sites, Saghmosavank has its legends. According to one, Gregory the Illuminator founded two monasteries in the Kasagh valley. The lower one, known as the Illuminator Monastery, and the upper one, aptly named the Psalter Monastery, ensured that psalms could be performed continuously, creating an eternal hymn of devotion in this idyllic valley.

FACTS

❈ Saghmosavank, at 1614 meters altitude, is a historic monastery complex in the Kasagh valley, with deep roots in Armenia’s medieval history.

❈ Founded in the Early Middle Ages, the current buildings were constructed in the 13th century and served as a center of learning, education, and manuscript
preservation.

❈ Notable for housing a library, two churches (St. Sion and St. Astvatsatsin), and intricate carvings, the complex was rediscovered in the 19th century and later restored.

❈ The Gratun, a writing room, stands out with its unique architecture and rich ornamentation, while legends surround its founding by Gregory the Illuminator.

❈ The monastery’s significance spans centuries, from its role as an educational hub to its modern-day preservation as a cultural treasure.