Hovhannavank Monastery (Հովհաննավանք վանական համալիր)

Hovhannavank monastery dates back to the 5-13th centuries and consists of St.Karapet single-nave basilica built by Grigor Lusavorich in the IVth century, St.Karapet cathedral built in 1216-1221 and XIIIth century gavits. The complex is protected by walls and includes also a sepulchre, a memorial monument, winged and enclosed cross-stones, school and congregation buildings.
When Grigor Lusavorich buried Hovhannes Mkrtich's remains at St.Karapet church, the monastery was called Hovhannavank. According to another legend, the monastery's name comes from its abbot Hovhann's name who succeeded Armenian historian Ghazar Parpetsi in that role. There are also ruins of the first Christian church built here on the site of a former pagan temple.

An earthquake damaged Hovhannavank's Cathedral, the dome cracked. The monastery was restored in 1990s. Hovhannavank is rich in bas-relief sculptures. The decoration of the entrance and lintel is particularly interesting with engraved floral sculptures and eight-pointed stars. The high-relief sculpture depicting the “Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins” is engraved at the lintel. Valuable cross-stones can be found next to the monastery.
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