The Stele of Odzun Monastery

The photograph shows the well-known stele of Odzun Monastery. Odzun Monastery is an ancient Armenian monastic complex built around the 6th century. It is located in the village of Odzun in the Lori province, in the Tashir district of the historical province of Gugark. Standing in the monastery courtyard, this monument is decorated with religious images and is regarded as one of the notable examples of early Christian Armenian sculpture.

The structure stands on a stepped stone base and has two arches, beneath which narrow stone stelae rise. A man in a hat sits on the steps. The caption printed below reads: “The triumphal arch of Ashot the Merciful (after Marr)”.