Haghpat—an awe-inspiring monastery in the village of the same name—is often hailed as the most captivating monastic site in northern Armenia. While it shares a kinship in both style and spirit with the nearby Sanahin Monastery, visible across the valley, Haghpat distinguishes itself in ways that many consider superior. Recognized for its cultural significance, Haghpat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996.
The site where Haghpat now stands has been inhabited since ancient times. The monastery itself was founded between 929 and 953 by King Ashot Bagratuni. Later, in 976, King Ashot III of Ani began the construction of the central church, Surb Nshan (Holy Sign), which was completed in 991. At that time, the region of Tashir was still part of the Kingdom of Ani, but by the time the church was finished, Tashir had become an independent kingdom. The fall of Ani to the Seljuks in 1064 ushered in a period of stagnation for the monastery, and for nearly a century, Surb Nshan remained its only stone structure.
In 1118, Tashir was absorbed into the Kingdom of Georgia, marking the beginning of a new and flourishing era for Haghpat. Most of the buildings visible today were constructed during this Georgian period, with some additions even made under Mongol rule. In 1223, at the order of Ivane Zakaryan, the nearby Haghpat Fortress was built to protect the monastery.
Today, Haghpat Monastery is a labyrinth of structures packed closely together in a configuration so intricate that one could easily lose their sense of direction. Unlike Sanahin, which features its buildings arranged in a linear fashion, Haghpat’s layout is almost chaotic—but wonderfully so. You can wander from one chamber to the next, each transition unfolding a new architectural delight.
Entering the monastery via its main staircase, visitors first encounter the small Church of Saint Grigor. Simple in structure, it follows a basilican layout. Just behind it rises the imposing Church of Surb Nshan with its iconic conical dome, almost entirely enveloped by its grand gavit—a vast narthex crowned with a central tower. This gavit, with its soaring ceiling and sacred gloom, dominates the architectural ensemble.
To the left of this massive space stands the modest yet elegant Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), topped with a delicate cupola. Behind it lies perhaps the most astonishing structure in the complex: the Gavit of Amazasp, named after the abbot who commissioned it. Though its exterior may resemble a large, unassuming barn, a closer look reveals architectural genius.
The Gavit of Amazasp spans an incredible 330 square meters—making it the largest gavit in all of Armenia. Completed in 1257, during the Mongol period, its Romanesque design and intricate vaulted ceilings are feats of engineering still standing strong after numerous earthquakes. That such a structure could be created with the construction techniques of the time is nothing short of miraculous.
A short walk uphill from the main complex brings visitors to the bell tower, whose unique design mirrors a cross when viewed from above. Its base transitions into an octagonal drum, with corners featuring arched niches in an unmistakably Islamic style. Erected in 1245, shortly after the Battle of Köse Dağ and the joint Armenian-Georgian-Mongol campaigns against the Seljuks, the tower may well have been financed by spoils from those conquests. That same year marked the death of Queen Rusudan, whose son had vanished in Karakorum. The ensuing succession crisis would ultimately shatter Georgia’s unity. In this light, the bell tower stands as a silent, stone elegy for a bygone era of Georgian-Armenian strength.
From the 11th to the 13th centuries, Haghpat was renowned not only as a religious center but also as a seat of learning. It housed a respected school and printing house, where students studied grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, theology, music, and other sciences. The monastery was also famous for its miniature painting tradition, which flourished within its scholarly walls.
Many legends swirl around the origin of Haghpat’s name. One of the most beloved tells of a master builder summoned to Sanahin to construct a monastery. Accompanied by his son, the two craftsmen eventually quarreled during the project. The son left in anger, and another nobleman commissioned him to build a new monastery—what would become Haghpat. When the walls of the new construction grew tall enough to be seen from Sanahin, the old master was informed. On a day of rest, he traveled to the new site, studying the stonework in silence. At last, pressing his hand against the wall, he exclaimed in admiration, “Ah, pat!” (“What a wall!”). The estranged father and son embraced, their reconciliation giving birth to the name “Haghpat.”
