Haghpat Monastery

One of the most ancient sights in northern Armenia’s Lori region is the medieval Armenian monastery complex Haghpat, also known as Haghpatavank, located 170km far from city Yerevan. The monastery was founded by Saint Nishan (Sourb Nshan) in the 10th century AD. During the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat was eminent spiritual and cultural center of Armenia. Once this monastery was famous in its library and school where the pupils were taught philosophy, rhetoric, music and how to illustrate manuscripts. It had the premises for the library manuscripts copying, refectories and universities. It is one of the largest and most impressive monastery complexes in Armenia, where you can see the most characteristic features of medieval Armenian architecture. The complex was surrounded by high barriers for protection from enemy’s attacks. In 1996 the Haghpat Monastery was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.