Tanahat Monastery
Name: Tanahat Monastery
Monument type: Church-Monastic Complex
Region: Vayots Dzor
Periods: Medieval
Name: Tanahat Monastery
Other nominations: St. Stepanos of Tanahat, Tanat monastery, Gladzor
Monument type: Monastery complex
Region: Vayots Dzor
Community: Gladzor
Residence: Vernashen village
Location: 5 km south-east of Vernashen village, southern foothills of Teksar, broad plateau between the two valleys.
Preservation: Restored, partially fixed
Coordinates: 39°46’47.5″N 45°23’58.8″E
Elevation: 1615 m
Era and chronology: V-VII centuries, XIII-XIV centuries, Early and High Middle ages
Tanahat Monastery: Where History and Tranquility Unite in the ‘’capital of the wise’’
As Tanahat Monastery weaves its enchanting tale around you, you’ll feel as if you’re stepping back in time and one into the rich tapestry of Armenia’s heritage.
Here, the sounds of the past harmonize with the beauty of the present and the echoes of Gladzor University’s wisdom still linger in the winds that sweep across the foothills of Teksar. And as you allow them to inspire you, you’ll get to create your own memories within the ancient walls of this historical marvel.
Perched at an elevation of 1615 meters, nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape of Vayots Dzor, lies the Tanahat Monastery, a place of profound historical and spiritual significance. With a legacy that spans centuries, this captivating monastery complex beckons you to explore its intriguing past and stunning architecture.
The complex’s history weaves through the ages, from the Early and High Middle Ages to the XIII-XIV centuries. Founded in the VIII century, it holds within its walls the sacred remains of Stepanos Syunetsi, a revered figure of that era. The main structures that stand today were erected at the end of the XIII century under the patronage of the Proshyan princes.
Tanahat Monastery’s architectural grandeur is a testament to human ingenuity.
St. Stepanos church, the centerpiece of the complex, was built by Prince Prosh in 1273-1279, is a marvel of design. It boasts a unique domed composition, adorned with dark bluish basalt stones. The church’s facades are a canvas of intricate reliefs, depicting scenes of wildlife and mythological creatures.
Adjacent to it stands St. Nshan church, a single-nave basilica adorned with exquisite carvings. The western porch showcases a captivating sculpture of a horseman spearing a lion, a testament to the artistry of the time.
More than just a place of worship, Tanahat monastery was the heart of education in the 13th and 14th centuries. Here, the renowned Gladzor University founded in 1280, thrived, attracting scholars and students from near and far. Known as “the second Athens the great” and “the capital of the wise,” this center of knowledge left an indelible mark on Armenian history. From philosophers to artists, its alumni include some of Armenia’s most notable figures.
Excavations have revealed the foundations of a vestibule and a basilica, shedding light on the monastery’s evolution through time. Tombstones dot the floor, preserving the memory of those who once walked these hallowed halls.
Amidst the ruins, one can still glimpse the everyday life of the monks. Living rooms with tonirs for baking and economic wells hint at the simplicity of their existence.
Moreover, Tanahat Monastery has yielded a treasure trove of artifacts, from architectural details to lithographs, cross-stones, pottery, and metal objects. These relics whisper secrets of the past, waiting to be unraveled.
As with any ancient place, Tanahat Monastery boasts its legends. The monks who resided here were known for their austere lifestyle, consuming only bread and water. Their renunciation of buttermilk led to the affectionate nickname “Tanahats,” giving the monastery its unique name and adding a touch of folklore to its story.
FACTS
❈ Tanahat Monastery is situated at an elevation of 1615 meters in the scenic Vayots Dzor region, boasting a rich history spanning centuries, from the Early and High Middle Ages to the XIII-XIV centuries.
❈ Founded in the VIII century, the main structures of the complex were constructed at the end of the XIII century under the patronage of the Proshyan princes. It holds the sacred remains of Stepanos Syunetsi, an esteemed figure of that era.
❈ The centerpiece of the complex, St. Stepanos church, built between 1273-1279 by Prince Prosh, features a unique domed composition and intricate reliefs on its facades, depicting scenes of wildlife and mythological creatures.
❈ Tanahat Monastery was not only a place of worship but also a hub of education during the 13th and 14th centuries. The renowned Gladzor University, founded in 1280, thrived here, attracting scholars and students from far and wide.
❈ Excavations at the site have uncovered the foundations of a vestibule and basilica, tombstones, monk living quarters with tonirs for baking, economic wells, and a wealth of artifacts, including architectural details, lithographs, cross-stones, pottery, and metal objects.
❈ Legends surround the austere lifestyle of the monks at Tanahat Monastery, who were known for consuming only bread and water, earning them the nickname “Tanahats” and adding to the monastery’s folklore-rich history.
🔍 Research history
The monument was described by the topographical researchers in the XIX-XX centuries (S. Jalalyants, Kajberuni, G. Alishan, Yer. Lalayan, H. Yeghiazaryan). In the first quarter of the XX century G. Hovsepyan referred to Tanahat monastery in a valuable monograph presenting the history of the Proshian dynasty. The monastery lithographs were collected by S. Barkhudaryan in the middle of the XX century. At the same time, a number of publications were produced (and are still produced) related to the location of the Gladzor University, its importance as an educational, cultural and writing center (L. Khachikyan, A. Avetisyan, L. Khacheryan, A. Abrahamyan and others): The excavations undertaken by Gharibyan’s leadership in the early 1970s on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the Gladzor University foundation, were crucial in the study of the monastery history. New buildings, many lithographs and a rich archaeological collection were revealed to shed light on the clarification of numerous important issues relating to the monastery foundation and activity.
🧱 Archaeological description
Location
The monument is located on a large plateau surrounded by the ruins of many residential, economic and civil buildings.
Stratigraphy
According to the XIII century historian Stepanos Orbelyan, the monastery was founded in the VIII century when the body of Stepanos Syunetsi killed by an immoral woman in Moz township, was transferred here from Arkaz St. Khach (Cross) Church and a chapel-tomb was built. It was discovered during the excavations carried out on the southern side of St. Stepanos in the 1970s.
The main buildings of the monastery were built at the end of the XIII century under the patronage of Proshyan princes.
According to the disseminated opinion, the Gladzor University was founded here in 1280 to be the most famous educational center established in the last quarter of the XIII century. It operated for nearly 60 years under the leadership of Nerses Mshetsi and Yesai Nchetsi. Gladzor is called “the second Athens the great”, “the capital of the wise” in the records of many copied manuscripts. Its popularity was so great that people came to study here from different parts of Greater Armenia and from Armenian Cilicia. Among Gladzor’s students were Tiratur Kiliketsi, Hovhan Vorotnetsi, Stepanos Orbelyan, as well as other notable scientists, writers and miniature painters of the time.
A Muslim population settled at the area of the ancient site in the XVII-XVIII centuries and used the buildings constructed in the XIII-XIV centuries.
Renovation of the structures and area improvement works were carried out in 1972-74 (S. Matevosyan).
Architecture
It consists of St. Stepanos church, St. Nshan church adjacent to it from the north, remains of the vestibule, the early basilica and vestibule opened by excavations on the southern side and again called St. Stepanos, the refectory and other monastic buildings.
St. Stepanos main church was built by Prince Prosh in 1273-1279. Externally rectangular, internally cruciform, it is a domed composition with vaults at the four corners, with a tall polygonal drum crowned by a fan-shaped pediment. It is built with hewn stones of dark bluish basalt which caused the Turkish-speaking population to call it Qaravank in the XVIII-XIX centuries. The eastern and southern facades are decorated with a pair of triangular niches, the windows are bordered by relief frames. In the exterior decoration the only western porch, the winged eagle holding the victim in its claws, the lion and the bull wrestling, the falcon pecking the partridge, individual reliefs of animals and birds stand out.
The St. Nyshan (sign) is a single-nave basilica vaulted structure with the sculpture of a horseman spearing a lion depicted on the keystone of the western porch. The wide semi-circular frame of the pediment is decorated with amethyst carvings. It was built in 1280 and 1302.
The remains of the vestibule foundation walls were revealed by excavations on the western side of St. Stepanos and St. Nyshan. The floor was covered with 24 tombstones.
The St. Stepanos basilica church is a single-nave hall with vaults on the eastern side, characteristic of the V-VII centuries, built of yellowish hewn felsite. The entrance is from the western side. A small chapel was attached to the south-eastern side. According to the discovered construction records, it was rebuilt in 1215 by Vasak Khaghbakyan’s. During the reconstruction, the southern entrance was opened, communicating with the newly built department. It was partially rebuilt in 1270s, probably turning into an educational building.
Gavit (vestibule) was built on the western side, only the foundation walls of which have been preserved. It is a square, four-columned building with the floor completely covered with slab-arks.
In the territory of the monument group there are many living rooms with tonir (hole on the ground for baking) and economic wells.
🔨 Findings
Architectural details, lithographs, cross-stones, pottery, metal objects.
🌍 Significance
It was the most significant spiritual, educational and cultural center of the XIII-XIV centuries, where the Gladzor University operated.
📜 Traditional legends
The monastery members ate only bread and water and because they were cut from the tan (buttermilk), they were called Tanahats: this how the monastery got its name Tanahat
📚 Sources
Literature
- Hovsepyan G. 1928, Khagbakyank or Proshyank in the Armenian History (Historical Study), Part A, Vagharshapat, Pethrat First Printing House, 298 pages.
- Gharibyan I., Gladzor. Location, excavations, lithographic inscriptions, Yerevan, Yerevan University Press, 1983, 244 pages.
- Sargsyan G., Khachatryan A. 1980, Vayots Dzor (Historical-patrimonial outline), Yerevan, “Armenia”, 157 pages.
List of monuments
Vayots Dzor 11.42/8
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