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Hovhannavank Monastery

Hovhannavank Monastery

Monastery

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28 km from Yerevan center

Region:

Aragatsotn

On the slopes of the picturesque Aragatsotn region, in the village of Ohanavan, Hovhannavank monastery rises – an ancient sanctuary whose story reaches deep into the past. According to tradition, the first structures appeared here as early as the 5th century, when the Christian faith in Armenia was only beginning to take shape in stone. Through the centuries, the monastery was rebuilt many times, preserving within its walls the memory of different eras and patrons.

The main church was erected later, between 1212 and 1221, by the order of Prince Vache Vachutyan, one of the prominent figures of a powerful noble family. His son, Kurd Vachutyan, continued his father's work by adding a chapel to the complex, thus giving the monastery its completed form.

Particularly remarkable is the bas-relief above the entrance to the main church: scenes from the Gospel carved into stone, striking in both concept and craftsmanship. Each figure and contour seems to come alive in the glow of the setting sun, turning the monastery into a "stone book" that opens the pages of the Holy Scriptures.

Today, Hovhannavank not only preserves the grandeur of the past but also remains a place of spiritual inspiration. Its austere walls and exquisite carvings invite visitors to touch eternity, where stone and faith are bound as one.