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The name Sanahin literally translates as "this one is older than that one", presumably representing a claim to having an older monastery than the neighboring Haghpat. The two villages and their monasteries are similar in many ways, and lie in plain view of each other on a dissected plateau formation, separated by a deep "crack" formed by a small river flowing into the Debed river. As with Haghpat, Sanahin is frequented by an increasing number of tourists, due to its recent inclusion on the itineraries of numerous Armenian tour agencies (these two magnificent monastic complexes - included in UNESCO heritage list - are among the most outstanding examples of Armenian religious architecture)

Sanahin bridge built 1195

The complex belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church with numerous khachkars (stones with elaborate engravings representing a cross) and bishop gravesites scattered throughout it

The Bell tower

Sanahin's bell tower was built between 1211 and 1235

The Bell tower  is a three-story tower with small annexes and a multi-columned belfry at the top. Sanahin's bell tower was built between 1211 and 1235

Documentary evidence suggest that the structures date back to the reign of king Abbas Bagratuni (930s). The historians wrote that the first structure of the monastery, St. Astvatsatsin church, was built by Armenian immigrants from Byzantium who had rejected the Chalcedonian sect

Khatchkar detail

Khachkars at Sanahin include one carved in 1192, commissioned by Queen Vaneni, who had Sanahin bridge built over the Debed River and memorial khachkar carved for her husband King Abbas Bagratuni, who died prematurely

Details of Queen Vaneni’s Khachkars (1192)

Khachkar known as Tsiranavor 1205-1222

Sanahin complex consists of five churches, two gavits, a cemetery, a seminary (academy), book depository, bell-tower, patrimonial sepulchers and other structures once encircled by a fortified wall. 

The St. Astvastatsin gavit erected in 1211

The gavits front the two churches (St. Astvatsatsin and St. Amenaprkitch), on their west end and are the largest structures at Sanahin, unique features of Armenian religious architecture.

The St. Astvastatsin gavit erected in 1211

The St. Astvastatsin gavit erected in 1211

The St. Astvastatsin gavit erected in 1211

The Seminary or “Magistros academy” is set in a gallery at the end of the St. Astvatsatsin gavit and was an original work of civil architecture built in two stages, at the end of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th centuries.

The structure includes closely spaced niches in the walls, presumably for students to sit during lectures. 

It is named for one of its teachers, the renowned 11th c. Armenian philosopher, writer and scientist Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni (990-1059), whose letters are a treasure trove of information on medieval theology, literature, mythology, politics, natural sciences and medicine

The St. Astvastatsin gavit and the Seminary or “Magistros academy”

The Seminary or “Magistros academy”

The St. Astvastatsin gavit erected in 1211 and entrance inSt. Amenaprkitch gavit

The St. Amenaprkitch or inner gavit was built in 1181

There are four large, expressive columns that support the “yerdik” dome, an early example of the use of four-column construction also popular in peasant homes

The St. Amenaprkitch gavit

The columns divide the space into separate parts, their bases and capitals decorated with carvings and reliefs.

St. Amenaprkitch gavit

St. Amenaprkitch gavit

St. Amenaprkitch gavit built in 1181

St. Amenaprkitch (Holy Redeemer or All Savior) gavit built in 1181

St. Amenaprkitch gavit built in 1181

St. Amenaprkitch (Holy Redeemer or All Savior) church

St. Amenaprkitch (Holy Redeemer or All Savior) Katoghike Church, completed in 966

The eastern façade of St. Amenaprkitch (Holy Redeemer or All Savior) Katoghike Church, bas-relief sculpture of Princes Kiurikeh (Giurgen) and Smbat (sons of Ashot the Merciful and queen Khosrovanush) Bagratuni

The St. Astvastatsin church

The vestibules and galleries served as tombs for noble families

The St. Astvastatsin church

Scriptorium and Grigor Chapel

Grigor Chapel  This late 10th century chapel adjoins the south-east corner of the book depository was rebuilt in 1061

ScriptoriumSanahin's book depository and gallery are among the most interesting buildings at Sanahin

ScriptoriumSanahin's book depository was erected in 1063. Its large octahedral tent roof rests on diagonal arches set on half columns in each wall.

Scriptorium façade detail

Grigor Chapeland Scriptorium

Scriptorium

Scriptorium

Haghpat and Sanahin are also connected to one of Armenia's greatest medieval bards, Sayat Nova, who studied as a child at Sanahin (1712-1719) and later lived at Haghpat first as a clergyman (from 1768), then as Grand Sacristan (1778-1795)

Scriptoriumdetail

Sanahin was renowned for its school of illuminators and calligraphers

Sanahin monastery manuscript(in National

Museum, Kraków)

Collection of Breviary hymns

from the Sanahin monastery

Seminary (Academy), St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church and Scriptorium

The ancient source

The ancient source

The 12th-century bridge of Sanahin

The bridge of Sanahin is one of the famous engineering constructions of medieval Armenia. According to the inscription on one of the khachkars found near the bridge, it was built at the end of the 12-th century by the Armenian queen Vaneni, in commemoration of her husband King Abbas (details)

Harutioun Shamshinian - The bridge of Sanahin (1899)

Sound: Isabel Bayrakdarian - Oracion a Dios

Text: Internet

Pictures: Internet

Sanda Foişoreanu

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

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