Spitakavor Monastery

Spitakavor-Proshaberd: A ‘’Blooming’’ Monastery and a Citadel of Strength

If you’re seeking a blend of history, spirituality, and adventure, then Spitakavor-Proshaberd is an unparalleled destination for you!.

As you visit this monastery/fortress duo in Armenia’s picturesque Vayots Dzor region, you’ll be embarking on a time-travel journey. 

These venerable structures echo with the whispers of centuries past, their walls and sculptures bearing witness to the rich history and cultural diversity of Armenia’s medieval era, will undoubtedly leave you completely transformed. 

In Vayots Dzor, Armenia’s breathtaking region of rugged landscapes and ancient heritage, lies the enigmatic complex of Spitakavor-Proshaberd. 

Spitakavor Monastery, dedicated to St. Astvatsatsin, and the formidable Boloraberd Fortress, also known as Proshaberd, together form a remarkable ensemble. This site, also referred to as the Desert of Boloraberd or the Desert of St. Karapet, weaves together diverse facets of Armenian history and culture, earning it the title of “Nzhdeh Pilgrimage Site.”

Spitakavor-Proshaberd is a testament to the last phase of the High Middle Ages, specifically the 13th and 14th centuries. Partially restored, this site’s preservation is vital to safeguard its unique blend of religious and secular thematic sculptures.

The history of Spitakavor Monastery dates back to the early 14th century when it was founded by the Prussian princes Eachi and later completed by his son, Amir Hasan II, in 1321. It quickly rose to prominence as a renowned scriptorium center during the 14th and 15th centuries, thriving after the Gladzor University, patronized by the Prussian princes, ceased its operations in the mid-15th century. The monastery is a treasure trove of architectural and artistic marvels.

At the heart of Spitakavor stands St. Astvatsatsin Church, a structure of remarkable beauty. Externally square but internally cruciform, its tall cylindrical drum crowned by a conical spire is a testament to Armenian architectural ingenuity. Constructed with local basalt and adorned with thematic sculptures, the church’s facades are adorned with large relief cross-sculptures, with one depicting the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, exquisitely carved on agate stone. Inside, religious sculptures grace the space, including a bust of Christ the Almighty and a sculpture of Father-God holding Adam’s head, surrounded by symbolic representations of the four evangelists. The church’s exterior once boasted sculptures of its benefactors, Eachi and Amir Hasan, which are now housed in prestigious museums.

Adjacent to the church, the vestibule, constructed between 1321 and 1330, is a square building with a collapsed roof. Its walls are formed by arches, featuring entrances on the western and southern facades, along with rectangular openings on the northern facade. Inside, shelf-niches bear witness to its storied past.

A three-story stone belfry, built in 1330 by Hovhannes and Tatzh, stands tall on the western wall of the vestibule, a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of the time.

Part of the remains of Armenian military and political figure Garegin Nzhdeh find their eternal rest beneath the southern wall of the church. A monument erected in his honor in 1989 attracts pilgrims every year on June 17.

Boloraberd, or Proshaberd, is a fortress that dates back to the 13th century, perched atop a conical rocky hill, accessible only from the north-west. Its heptagonal polygonal plan occupies approximately 0.3 hectares. With its herringbone walls built of rough basalt and fortifications featuring five semicircular towers, it stands as a testament to medieval military architecture.

The site has yielded treasures from the past, including unglazed and glazed pottery, as well as metal objects, all of which now reside in the Geological Museum of Yeghegnadzor. These artifacts bear the mark of the Momik sculptural school, renowned for its elegant craftsmanship.

Surrounded by briers, the monastery earned the name “Gyul Monastery” among Turkish-speaking residents, translating to “Blooming Monastery,” a poetic reflection of its enduring beauty.

FACTS

❈ Spitakavor-Proshaberd is a remarkable complex located in Vayots Dzor, Armenia, which consists of Spitakavor Monastery and the Boloraberd Fortress, forming an ensemble of religious and secular historical significance.

❈ Spitakavor Monastery, dedicated to St. Astvatsatsin, was founded in the early 14th century by the Prussian princes Eachi and later completed by his son, Amir Hasan II, in 1321. It was renowned as a scriptorium center during the 14th and 15th centuries, filling the void left by the closure of Gladzor University in the mid-15th century.

❈ The centerpiece of Spitakavor is St. Astvatsatsin Church, characterized by its square exterior and cruciform interior. The church features a tall cylindrical drum topped by a conical spire and is constructed from local basalt, adorned with thematic sculptures and cross-sculptures. Inside, you can find religious sculptures, including a bust of Christ the Almighty and a sculpture of Father-God holding Adam’s head.

❈ The vestibule of Spitakavor was constructed between 1321 and 1330 and features entrances on the western and southern facades, along with rectangular openings on the northern facade. Shelf-niches inside tell of its history.

❈ A stone belfry, built in 1330, stands on the western wall of the vestibule. Part of the remains of Garegin Nzhdeh, an Armenian military and political figure, find their eternal rest beneath the southern wall of the church, and a monument in his honor attracts pilgrims annually on June 17.

❈ Boloraberd, or Proshaberd, is a 13th-century fortress perched on a conical rocky hill with heptagonal polygonal fortifications and five semicircular towers, showcasing medieval military architecture. The site has yielded artifacts, including pottery and metal objects associated with the Momik sculptural school.

❈ The complex has historical and cultural significance, with a poetic Turkish name, “Gyul Monastery” meaning “Blooming Monastery,” given by Turkish-speaking residents, reflecting its enduring beauty.