The Goshavank monastic complex

Goshavank is a renowned medieval Armenian monastic complex in the village of Gosh and was one of the largest spiritual and educational centres of Armenia. It was built in 1188 on the site of the ruined Getik monastery. The monastery stands in a wooded area, in the gorge of a mountain river, and for this reason it had no defensive walls.

The complex is named after the writer, scholar and statesman Mkhitar Gosh, who took an active part in its construction and development. Three churches, a book depository, a bell tower, a school and a chapel were built here. The centre of the ensemble is the Surb Astvatsatsin Church, crowned by a high dome. In 1972 a museum of history and architecture was opened here.

The photograph shows the stone churches of the complex with their domes, on a green grassy site.