Nestled in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, near the village of Garni, Avuts Tar Monastery crowns a mountain overlooking the left bank of the Azat River. During the early medieval period, this monastery stood as one of Armenia’s foremost religious and cultural centers, embodying the spiritual heart of the region. According to the historian Mkhitar Ayrivantsi, the noble Prince Gevorg Marzpetyan originally erected the Church of Surb Amenaprkich (Holy Savior) on this site. In 1013, this sacred church was meticulously rebuilt by Grigor Magistros, further enhancing its grandeur. Within the monastery complex also stood the Chapel of St. Karapet, constructed in 1213, a testament to the enduring devotion of the Armenian faithful. All the monastery’s structures are crafted from striking red and black tuff stone, lending the site a distinctive and solemn beauty.
The monastery endured severe damage during the devastating Garni earthquake of 1679. Decades later, in 1721, under the initiative of Catholicos Astvatsatur, construction began anew on the Church of St. Karapet atop the ruins of the chapel. However, this church was never completed. Builders repurposed stones from the original narthex and the church rebuilt by Grigor Magistros, weaving the past into the present. By the early 18th century, the main buildings of the monastery complex were enclosed within protective walls, yet time has not been kind to Avuts Tar. Today, the monastery remains partially preserved: the church’s dome and parts of its rear wall have crumbled, and the chapel within the grounds lies in ruins. Only fragments of the old church’s walls and its foundations survive, alongside the remnants of chapels, bell tower walls, the narthex, refectory, and various utility structures.
The church itself, constructed from vibrant orange and black tuff, is adorned with numerous donor inscriptions etched into its walls. These inscriptions reveal a diverse array of patrons who contributed to its construction, including notable benefactors from Yerevan, such as a certain Vagram Yerevantsi, highlighting the widespread support and communal spirit that sustained the monastery.
Surrounding Avuts Tar and within its grounds are exquisite khachkars—Armenian cross-stones—renowned for their delicate craftsmanship and artistic finesse. Among these, one khachkar crafted here is preserved in the History Museum of Armenia.
