Haghpat Monastery

Haghpat Monastery (Armenia) was founded in 976 in the reign of Ashot III the Merciful Bagratuni; Queen Khosrovanush played a major role in its foundation. In the 10th–13th centuries the monastery was one of the centres of Armenia’s spiritual culture, and from the second half of the 12th century it was the spiritual and religious centre of the Kingdom of Lori. In 1081 Barsegh, Bishop of Ani and Shirak, was consecrated Catholicos here. In the second half of the 18th century Sayat-Nova lived in the monastery for several years. In 1822–1826 Catholicos Yeprem I moved from Etchmiadzin to Haghpat. At the beginning of the 20th century the monastery became deserted; it was reopened under Catholicos Vazgen I and is active today.

The photograph was taken from above. Domed churches, a bell tower, reddish roofs and gravestones in the courtyard can be seen. The complex is enclosed by a stone wall and surrounded by green mountains.