NORAVANK

 NORAVANK      

 

Noravank (In Armenian: Նորավանք) is a 13th century Armenian monastery, located 122km from the capital Yerevan. The Gorge of Noravank is popular for its caves, and marvelous flora and fauna. Noravank is very close to the city of Yeghegnadzor in Vayots Dzor region.  An interesting story is told among locals regarding the name of Vayots Dzor. It is said that once there was the city of Moz, which was covered with lava after the local volcano erupted caused by an earthquake. The sorrowful cries “vai, vai” of those people who survived the natural calamity resulted in the naming suggesting “Sorrowful Canyon.”

 

Among the things as you visit Noravank you will see the gorge Magel Cave, Bird Cave and so on.

The monastery of Noravank was based in XII century in the place of ancient constructions. In 14th century it became a residence of bishops of Syunik.Church of St. Karapet is the most ancient church of the monastery that was reached to us in ruins and constructed in IХ-X centuries. In the north of it, the main temple of the monastery also carrying the same name was erected in 1216-1223. This is a cross winged-dome building with 2 floor vestries in 4 corners. The temple has strict decorative furniture. A vestibule or as it is called by Armenian ‘Gavit’ or ‘Zhamatun’ was attached to the western side of the church in 1233, it was damaged following the earthquake in 1321 and subsequently, it was restored by the famous architect Momik in 1333. 

 

Here you will be astonished by the miracle of architecture. Even today, you will be overwhelmed by the miniatures and khachkars on the walls of the monastery, purity and tranquility in each stone as everything that the hands of the great Momik touched, turned to magic. In 17-18th centuries the monastery was enclosed with fencing with adjacent constructions.Behind the eastern side of the fencing can be seen the remnants of the chapel and one cross stone from the mid- XIII century.

 

In the early 1980-s the monastery was reconstructed and in 2005 it was included in the Global Heritage List of UNESCO.Not far from the monastery, in the river gorge, there is a belfry or as it is called in Armenian ‘matur’ was built up above a spring the water of which is believed to be sacred and healing. In the middle ages it enjoyed great popularity and scores of people from abroad came here to store this miraculous water.

     

In 1275 the Church St.Grigor was attached to the northern side of the main temple, which was burial vault of Prince Smbat Orbelyan. This is a modest rectangular construction. Walls on both sides of the altar were decorated with cross stones and images of doves. Nearby, constructed by the same Momik in 1339, stands the two-storey Church of St. Astvatsatsin. It dates back to the times of the prince Burtele Orbelyan and therefore sometimes it is called Burtelashen. Its first semi-basement floor served as a tomb of the prince family of Orbelyans. Above the burial vault the crosswise chapel was erected. The monument is notable for its harmonious proportions and exclusively refined furnishing.