Long Description
These two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the
period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty (10th-13th centuries)
were important centres of learning. Sanahin in particular was renowned
for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. They are exceptional
examples of the 'domed hall' ecclesiastical architecture that developed
in Armenia from the 10th to the 13th centuries, which blended elements
of both Byzantine church architecture and the traditional vernacular
building style of this region.
Construction of the main church of the large fortified monastic
complex of Haghpat, dedicated to the Holy Cross, began in 966-67 and was
completed in 991. The central dome rests on the four massive pillars in
the side walls. The external walls are almost entirely covered by
triangular niches. The apse contains a fresco of Christ Pantocrator. The
building is complete and in its original form, apart from some 11th-
and 12th-century restorations, including the large gavit through which
access is gained to the church. The plan of the gavit, built in the
second decade of the 13th century, differs markedly in style from the
main church. A large narthex-type building used for meetings, teaching
and funerary rituals is based on vernacular architecture in wood, with
the roof supported on four pillars in the centre of the structure.
Vaulting divides the interior of the roof into nine sections, the
central one of which (yerdik ) is the highest and dominates the
interior space, as well as illuminating it. The church is joined by a
vaulted passage to a large jamatoun (chapter house), in the
same style as the gavit, built in the 13th century. Also connected to
the church is the library, a compact square building dating back to the
12th century.
The Sanahin Monastery consists of a large group of buildings on the
plateau above the Debet gorge and skilfully integrated into the
impressive mountain landscape. The buildings are laid out on two
rectangular axes, with their facades facing west. The main church, built
in the 10th century, is the Cathedral of the Redeemer. The emphasis of
the cross-shaped interior is on the central nucleus and the harmony
between the square base and the circular dome. The central dome in this
case is surrounded by four two-storey sacristies or chapels. To the west
there is a four-columned gavit built in 1181. Its plan is that of a
cross inscribed in a square. Lighting is by means of an aperture in the
centre of the dome. This is the earliest known example of this type of
structure, which owes its origins to Armenian peasant dwellings
consisting of square rooms with four free-standing pillars supporting
the roof and a central hole to allow smoke to be dispersed.
The Church of the Mother of God (Astvatzatzin), located to the north
of the cathedral and connected with it by means of a open-ended vaulted
passage, is the oldest building in the complex, built in 934 by monks
fleeing from Byzantium. The large library (scriptorium), built in 1063,
is square in plan and vaulted, with ten niches of varying sizes in which
codices and books were stored. At the south-eastern corner of the
library is to be found the small church dedicated to St Gregory the
Illuminator. The 11th-century Academy of Gregory Magistros is located
between the two main churches. The deep niches along the walls and the
abundance of light give this building an exceptional spatial quality.
The cemetery, located to the south-east of the main buildings, contains
the late 12th-century mausoleum of the Zakarian princes.
Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC
Historical Description
Christianity played a crucial role in the development of
Armenian art and architecture. The “classic” style developed in the
5th-7th centuries, but its further evolution came to an abrupt halt with
the Arab occupation that began at the end of the 7th century. Armenia
became independent again at the end of the 9th century and Armenian art
was revived when the kingdom was consolidated and national identity
re-established. The two monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin date from
this period, during the prosperity of the Kiurikian dynasty and the
Zakarian Princes. They were important centres of learning, housing some
500 monks, and bear eloquent testimony to the highest achievement of
Armenian architecture.
Haghpat, built by the royal Bagratouni dynasty in the Lori district
of northern Armenia in the 970s, was known from early times as Sourb
Nshan (the Holy Cross) of Haghpat. Construction to the designs of the
architect Traat was completed in 991. It suffered from earthquake damage
on several occasions, and in 1105 it was taken and burned by the Selcuk
prince Amir-Ghzil. Such was the spiritual importance of Haghpat and its
neighbour, Sanahin, that the fortress of Kaian was built in 1233 to
protect them from the marauding MongoIs, but this was taken by storm in
1241. Nonetheless, monastic life continued and new buildings were added
later in the 13th century. There was a period of extensive restoration in the 17th century.
Source: Advisory Body Evaluation
