Haghpat

Haghpat Monastery

Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank is a medieval Armenian monastery complex. The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. Described as a “masterpiece of religious architecture and major center of learning in the Middle Ages”, Haghpat Monastery, together with Sanahin Monastery was chosen as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. The monasteries at Haghpat and Sanahin were chosen as UNESCO World Heritage Sites because: The two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region.