Matnavank Monastery ( armenian Մատնավանք ) or Makaravank Monastery ( armenian կակարավանք ) is one of the three monasteries (along with Akhberk and the Monastery of the Holy Apostles ) of the Armenian Apostolic Church 11 km from the town of Mush , in the gorge of the Meghraget region, surrounded by mountains Taurus , just above the dense forests and mountains of Sasuna [1] .
Very little historical information about the complex has been preserved. The only source testifying to his historical life and construction activities are inscriptions preserved on the walls of buildings [1] .
Location
The Makaravank monastery complex is located at the foot of Mount Paytatap on a high plateau among dense forests. Together with the historic castle, Makhkanaberd is one of the most significant architectural monuments of medieval Armenia, both skillfully inscribed in the marvelous mountain landscape [1] .
Architectural Ensemble
The Makaravank complex consists of the Old Church , built in the X-XII centuries and the Main Church , built in 1204 . In 1224, a two-story narthex or Zhamatun was built, which connected both churches. Near the Old Church, a center remained - Nshharatun , that is, a building for baking prosphora (church bread used during ceremonies). This is one of the few monastery buildings of this kind that has come down to us. Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Virgin), was built in 1198 . It is located separately from the main church [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Linetsky A.V., Dvurechenskikh V.A., Gasparyan M.Yu., Rodina E.Yu., Delba V.V., Akimov P.A., Davydov A.V., Zhosanu P. A., Eropkina E.G., Nepochata D.A. Assessment of the historical and cultural heritage of Armenia. - Moscow: Trent, 2010 .-- S. 35-36. - 744 p.