Haghartsin is a 13th century monastery located near the town of Dilijan, Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 14th century; much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty.
St. Astvatsatsin Church
St. Astvatsatsin Church in Haghardzin (1281) is the largest building and
the dominant artistic feature.
St. Astvatsatsin Church
Gavit
The
gavit
of St. Astvatsatsin Church is severely damaged. The ruins show clearly
where it stood; however, the walls are almost completely destroyed.
St. Gregory Church
The oldest large structure of the complex, the St. Grigor Church, is
accessible through its gavit.
St. Gregory Church Gavit
The twelfth-century
gavit abutting St. Grigor Church is of the most common type of plan. It
is a square building, with roofing supported by four internal
abutments,
and with squat octahedral tents above the central sections, somewhat
similar to the Armenian peasant home of the "glkhatun" type. The gavit
has ornamented corner sections. Decorated with rosettes, these sections
contain sculptures of human figures in monks' attires, carrying crosses,
staffs, and birds. The framing of the central window of Haghardzin’s
gavit is cross-shaped. Placed right above the portal of the main
entrance, it emphasizes the central part of the facade.
One of the half-columns along the right hand wall towards the back
has come forward, showing that it is hollow. According to legend, this
was swung open and shut in the past and monastery riches were hidden
inside at times of war and invasion.
St. Stepanos Church
S.Stepanos Church
exterior carvings, sundial
The small St. Stepanos Church dates back to 1244.
Bagratuni sepulchre
The Bagratuni sepulchre
is where some of the
Bagratuni
royalty are buried.
