AVC Multimedia e-Book Series eBook#4: Vayots Dzor | Page 26

View of the exterior of St. Astvatsatsin church (Photo by Ara and Sossi Madzounian, My Armenia Program, Smithsonian Institution and USAID)

A trip to Vayots Dzor is not complete without a visit to this iconic medieval monastic complex nestled within a gorge, and just a short drive from the Areni-1 Cave Complex. Ochre-colored cliffs surround the churches and monastic halls at Noravank, built from the 9th to the 14th centuries. The site consists of several churches, including St. Astvatsatsin church, St. Karapet church, St. Stepanos church and St. Gregory mausoleum-chapel, as well as other monastic buildings and spaces.

Major construction began in the 13th century when Elikum, the son of Grand Prince Liparit from the Orbelian dynasty of Georgia, commissioned St. Stepanos church. The buildings in Noravank complex replaced the earlier version of St. Karapet church (dated most likely to the 9th century) and the St. Pokas chapel.

The Orbelians made Noravank the spiritual center of their principality. Noravank competed with the Tatev monastic complex (located in present-day Syunik) as the ecclesiastical heart of the See of Syunik.

Many Orbelian nobility are buried at Norovank. Make sure to walk into the St. Gregory mausoleum-chapel to see the tombstones of Orbelian princes and their family members. Marvel at the tombstone of Prince Elikum Orbelian, which features a lion turning towards you. The inscription reads: "Handsome Elikum, son of Great Tartsaiyithc, who like a lion bravely growled at the enemy. I beg you to remember him in prayers".

Noravank Monastic Complex (Panorama by 360° Stories)

Noravank Monastic Complex

Historical Attractions