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{{Short description|Monastery in Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia}}
{{Infobox religious building
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Spitakavor Monastery<br/>Սպիտակավոր վանք
| building_name = Spitakavor Monastery<br/>Սպիտակավոր վանք
| infobox_width =
| infobox_width =
| image = Spitakavor.jpg
| image = 2014 Prowincja Wajoc Dzor, Klasztor Spitakawor (03).jpg
| image_size = 300px
| image_size = 300px
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Spitakavor Surp Astvatsatsin Monastery
| caption = Spitakavor Surp Astvatsatsin Monastery
⚫
| religious_affiliation = [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]
| map_type = Armenia
| map_type = Armenia#Vayots Dzor
| map_size = 300
| map_size = 300
| location = near [[Vernashen]], [[Vayots Dzor Province|Vayots Dzor]],{{flagicon|ARM}} [[Armenia]]
| location = near [[Vernashen]], [[Vayots Dzor Province|Vayots Dzor]],{{flagicon|ARM}} [[Armenia]]
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| latitude =
| latitude =
| longitude =
| longitude =
⚫
| religious_affiliation = [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]
| rite =
| rite =
| region =
| region =
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}}
}}


'''Spitakavor Monastery''' ({{Lang-hy|Սպիտակավոր վանք}}), is a 14th-century [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]] monastic complex, {{convert|7|km|mi}} north of [[Vernashen]] village,<ref name="Find Armenia" /> near the town of [[Yeghegnadzor]] of [[Vayots Dzor Province]], [[Armenia]].
'''Spitakavor Monastery''' ({{Langx|hy|Սպիտակավոր վանք, "White monastery"}}), is a 14th-century [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]] monastic complex, {{convert|7|km|mi}} north of [[Vernashen]] village,<ref name="Find Armenia" /> near the town of [[Yeghegnadzor]] of [[Vayots Dzor Province]], [[Armenia]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
The Spitakavor Monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar mountain of the Vayots Dzor Province. The terrain is difficult, but the monastery can be reached on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle. It is about {{convert|8.4|km|mi}} from the [[University of Gladzor]]'s Museum and [[Tanahat]] Monastery and about {{convert|6|km|mi}} to the Proshaberd fortress.<ref name="Holding p. 244">{{cite book|author=Nicholas Holding|title=Armenia|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Epec69LGa0IC&pg=PA244|year=2011|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-345-0|page=244}}</ref>
The Spitakavor Monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar mountain of the Vayots Dzor Province. The terrain is difficult, but the monastery can be reached on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle. It is about {{convert|8.4|km|mi}} from the [[University of Gladzor]]'s Museum and [[Tanahat]] Monastery and about {{convert|6|km|mi}} to the [[Proshaberd]] fortress.<ref name="Holding p. 244">{{cite book|author=Nicholas Holding|title=Armenia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Epec69LGa0IC&pg=PA244|year=2011|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-345-0|page=244}}</ref>


==Monastery and church==
==Monastery and church==
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Behind fortified walls lies buildings of white shaved ([[felsite]], including the [[monastery]], [[church (building)|church]], a [[bell-tower]] and [[Entryway|vestibule]].<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" />
Behind fortified walls lies buildings of white shaved ([[felsite]], including the [[monastery]], [[church (building)|church]], a [[bell-tower]] and [[Entryway|vestibule]].<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" />


Its main monument is the Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God (Spitakavor Church of Surp Astvatsatsin). Due to the number of springtime flowers that surround the monastery, it is sometimes called ''Tsaghkavank'' (the Monastery of Flowers) by the villagers of Vernashen.<ref name="Find Armenia">[http://www.findarmenia.com/eng/sights/spitakavor Spitakavor Church]. Find Armenia. Retrieved 4 December 2013.</ref> An image, described as "a remarkable example of mid-century Armenian sculpture" of [[Virgin Mary|Mary (mother of Jesus)]], is chiseled into the headstone of the church's entrance. Other interesting artistic works included a sculpture of [[Jesus]] with his [[Apostle (Christian)|disciples]] and a relief of Eachi and his son.<ref name="Find Armenia" /> The [[History Museum of Armenia]] in Yerevan now holds a wall hanging that depicts Prince Hasan. The relief of the prince and his father is at the [[Hermitage Museum]] in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia.<ref name="Yerevan" />
Its main monument is the Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God (Spitakavor Church of Surp Astvatsatsin). Due to the number of springtime flowers that surround the monastery, it is sometimes called ''Tsaghkavank'' (the Monastery of Flowers) by the villagers of Vernashen.<ref name="Find Armenia">[http://www.findarmenia.com/eng/sights/spitakavor Spitakavor Church]. Find Armenia. Retrieved 4 December 2013.</ref> An image, described as "a remarkable example of mid-century Armenian sculpture" of [[Virgin Mary|Mary (mother of Jesus)]], is chiseled into the headstone of the church's entrance. Other interesting artistic works included a sculpture of [[Jesus]] with his [[Disciple (Christianity)|disciples]] and a relief of Eachi and his son.<ref name="Find Armenia" /> The [[History Museum of Armenia]] in [[Yerevan]] now holds a wall hanging that depicts Prince Hasan. The relief of the prince and his father is at the [[Hermitage Museum]] in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia.<ref name="Yerevan" />


Although the monastery is small and somewhat remote, it has been described as follows:
Although the monastery is small and somewhat remote, it has been described as follows:
{{Quotation|The monastery seems to be isolated from the entire world, and seems to be in the divine green surrounding where the human hand has yet not touched. Saying the harmony of the monastery and the nature around it is beautiful is not enough; “breathtakingly beautiful” this is how it should be described.<ref name="Yerevan">{{cite web | url=http://www.greatyerevan.com/gd/sacred-sights/spitakavor-church/92/ | title=Spitakavor Church | publisher=Great Yerevan | accessdate=5 December 2013}}</ref>}}
{{Quotation|The monastery seems to be isolated from the entire world, and seems to be in the divine green surrounding where the human hand has yet not touched. Saying the harmony of the monastery and the nature around it is beautiful is not enough; “breathtakingly beautiful” this is how it should be described.<ref name="Yerevan">{{cite web | url=http://www.greatyerevan.com/gd/sacred-sights/spitakavor-church/92/ | title=Spitakavor Church | publisher=Great Yerevan | access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>}}


==History==
==History==
[[File:Hermitage hall 063 - 04.jpg|thumb|Relief depicting Eachi and Amir Hassan II of the [[Proshian dynasty]], builders of the monastery, 14th century. Astvatsatsin Spitakavor Monastery, Vayots Dzor, [[Hermitage Museum]], inv. No. AR-619.<ref>{{cite book |title=Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages - MetPublications - The Metropolitan Museum of Art |date=2018 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |page=104-105 |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Armenia_Art_Religion_and_Trade_in_the_Middle_Ages |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hermitage hall 63 |url=https://pano.hermitagemuseum.org/3d/html/pwoaen/main/#node85}}</ref>]]
The 14th-century Spitakavor Monastery was built by two princes from the Proshian dynasty<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" /> during the [[Zakarid Armenia]] period.<ref>{{cite book|title=Armenien: 3000 Jahre Kultur zwischen Ost und West|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YpZ8bUZAHwMC&pg=PA395|year=2008|publisher=Trescher Verlag|isbn=978-3-89794-126-7|page=395}}</ref> The construction of the church began by Prince Eachi (died in 1318) and completed in 1321 by his son Prince Amir Hasan II.<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" /> Between 1321 and 1330, the narthex was built, and in 1330 Hovhannes Proshian and his wife, Tadzna, added a three-story bell-tower to the western wall of narthex.<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="AMAP">{{cite web | url=http://www.armenianmonuments.org/u_files/file/AMAP-all-en.pdf | title=Armenian Monument Awareness Project | publisher=Armenian Monuments | work=Spitakavor | accessdate=5 December 2013}}</ref>
The 14th-century Spitakavor Monastery was built by two princes from the [[Proshyan dynasty]]<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" /> during the [[Zakarid Armenia]] period.<ref>{{cite book|title=Armenien: 3000 Jahre Kultur zwischen Ost und West|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpZ8bUZAHwMC&pg=PA395|year=2008|publisher=Trescher Verlag|isbn=978-3-89794-126-7|page=395}}</ref> The construction of the church began by Prince Eachi (died in 1318) and completed in 1321 by his son Prince Amir Hasan II.<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="Yerevan" /> Between 1321 and 1330, the [[narthex]] was built, and in 1330 Hovhannes Proshian and his wife, Tadzna, added a three-story [[Bell tower|bell-tower]] to the western wall of narthex.<ref name="Find Armenia" /><ref name="AMAP">{{cite web | url=http://www.armenianmonuments.org/u_files/file/AMAP-all-en.pdf | title=Armenian Monument Awareness Project | publisher=Armenian Monuments | work=Spitakavor | access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>


The monastery became an "important cultural, educational and spiritual center" under the guidance of Father Superior and [[Philology|Phililogist]] Vardapet Avagter.<ref name="Yerevan" /><ref name="AMAP" />{{#tag:ref|According to the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project, Spitakavor became an important center after the closing of the [[University of Gladzor]],<ref name="AMAP" /> while it is also theorized that Spikakavor Monastery may have preceded and played a part in the closure in 1340 of the [[University of Gladzor]].<ref name="Yerevan" /> |group="nb"}}
The monastery became an "important cultural, educational and spiritual center" under the guidance of Father Superior and [[Philology|Phililogist]] Vardapet Avagter.<ref name="Yerevan" /><ref name="AMAP" />{{#tag:ref|According to the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project, Spitakavor became an important center after the closing of the [[University of Gladzor]],<ref name="AMAP" /> while it is also theorized that Spikakavor Monastery may have preceded and played a part in the closure in 1340 of the [[University of Gladzor]].<ref name="Yerevan" /> |group="nb"}}
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==Garegin Nzhdeh==
==Garegin Nzhdeh==
The remains of the Armenian military leader and political thinker [[Garegin Nzhdeh]] were secretly buried in the yard of Spitakavor Monastery on 9 May 1987<ref>[http://www.armtimes.com/10660 Nzhdeh after his death]. ArmTimes. Retrieved 4 December 2013. ([[Armenian language|Armenian]])</ref><ref name="Holding2011" /> or in 1983. He had died in a Soviet prison in 1955.<ref name="Holding2011">{{cite book|author=Nicholas Holding|title=Armenia|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Epec69LGa0IC&pg=PA21|year=2011|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-345-0|page=21}}</ref> Annually on June 17 Armenians across the world conduct a [[pilgrimage]] to the monastery's graveyard.<ref name="Find Armenia" />
The remains of the Armenian military leader and political thinker [[Garegin Nzhdeh]] were secretly buried in the yard of Spitakavor Monastery on 9 May 1987<ref>[http://www.armtimes.com/10660 Nzhdeh after his death]. ArmTimes. Retrieved 4 December 2013. ([[Armenian language|Armenian]])</ref><ref name="Holding2011" /> or in 1983. He had died in a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] prison in 1955.<ref name="Holding2011">{{cite book|author=Nicholas Holding|title=Armenia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Epec69LGa0IC&pg=PA21|year=2011|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-345-0|page=21}}</ref> Annually on June 17 Armenians across the world conduct a [[pilgrimage]] to the monastery's graveyard.<ref name="Find Armenia" /> His cross stone was sculpted by Gegham Sahakyan.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px">
<gallery widths="200px">
2014 Prowincja Wajoc Dzor, Klasztor Spitakawor (14).jpg|Portal
2014 Prowincja Wajoc Dzor, Klasztor Spitakawor (06).jpg|Cross by the tomb of [[Garegin Nzhdeh]]
File:Spitakavor-raffi kojian-DCP 3983.JPG|Spitakavor Monastery
File:Spitakavor-raffi kojian-DCP 3983.JPG|Spitakavor Monastery
File:Սպիտակավոր30.JPG|Armenian eternity sign
File:Սպիտակավոր30.JPG|Armenian eternity sign
File:Սպիտակավոր14.JPG|Cross on Spitakavor walls
File:Bas-relief of Armenian Amir Hasan hunting on horseback, Church of the White Virgin (completed 1321), Armenia! exhibit, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.jpg|[[Amir Hasan II]] hunting on horseback, from the southern wall of the Church of the White Virgin (completed 1321). [[History Museum of Armenia]], [[Yerevan]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages - MetPublications - The Metropolitan Museum of Art |year=2018 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |pages=104-105 |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Armenia_Art_Religion_and_Trade_in_the_Middle_Ages |language=en}}</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>


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[[Category:Christian monasteries in Armenia]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries in Armenia]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Vayots Dzor Province]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Vayots Dzor Province]]
[[Category:1321 establishments]]
[[Category:1321 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 14th century]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 14th century]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Vayots Dzor Province]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Vayots Dzor Province]]

Latest revision as of 01:59, 2 November 2024

Spitakavor Monastery
Սպիտակավոր վանք
Spitakavor Surp Astvatsatsin Monastery
Religion
AffiliationArmenian Apostolic Church
Location
Locationnear Vernashen, Vayots Dzor,Armenia Armenia
Architecture
StyleArmenian
Completed1321 (church), 1330 (vestibule, bell-tower)
Dome(s)1

Spitakavor Monastery (Armenian: Սպիտակավոր վանք, "White monastery"), is a 14th-century Armenian monastic complex, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Vernashen village,[1] near the town of Yeghegnadzor of Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia.

Geography

[edit]

The Spitakavor Monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar mountain of the Vayots Dzor Province. The terrain is difficult, but the monastery can be reached on foot or with an all-terrain vehicle. It is about 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi) from the University of Gladzor's Museum and Tanahat Monastery and about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to the Proshaberd fortress.[2]

Monastery and church

[edit]
Church tympanum

Behind fortified walls lies buildings of white shaved (felsite, including the monastery, church, a bell-tower and vestibule.[1][3]

Its main monument is the Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God (Spitakavor Church of Surp Astvatsatsin). Due to the number of springtime flowers that surround the monastery, it is sometimes called Tsaghkavank (the Monastery of Flowers) by the villagers of Vernashen.[1] An image, described as "a remarkable example of mid-century Armenian sculpture" of Mary (mother of Jesus), is chiseled into the headstone of the church's entrance. Other interesting artistic works included a sculpture of Jesus with his disciples and a relief of Eachi and his son.[1] The History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan now holds a wall hanging that depicts Prince Hasan. The relief of the prince and his father is at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.[3]

Although the monastery is small and somewhat remote, it has been described as follows:

The monastery seems to be isolated from the entire world, and seems to be in the divine green surrounding where the human hand has yet not touched. Saying the harmony of the monastery and the nature around it is beautiful is not enough; “breathtakingly beautiful” this is how it should be described.[3]

History

[edit]
Relief depicting Eachi and Amir Hassan II of the Proshian dynasty, builders of the monastery, 14th century. Astvatsatsin Spitakavor Monastery, Vayots Dzor, Hermitage Museum, inv. No. AR-619.[4][5]

The 14th-century Spitakavor Monastery was built by two princes from the Proshyan dynasty[1][3] during the Zakarid Armenia period.[6] The construction of the church began by Prince Eachi (died in 1318) and completed in 1321 by his son Prince Amir Hasan II.[1][3] Between 1321 and 1330, the narthex was built, and in 1330 Hovhannes Proshian and his wife, Tadzna, added a three-story bell-tower to the western wall of narthex.[1][7]

The monastery became an "important cultural, educational and spiritual center" under the guidance of Father Superior and Phililogist Vardapet Avagter.[3][7][nb 1]

There were two other monasteries in the area, Tanade and St. Khach monasteries, and the three used fire signals to communicate in "ancient times".[1] The monastery was attacked in the 14th century by Lenk Timur whose armies destroyed its walls and narthex, known in Armenia as gavit.[3] In the 14th[7] or 15th century,[3] after the fall of the Mongols, Ak-Koyunlu and Kara Koyunlu tribes attacked and "devastated" the region, including the monastery[3][7] church gavit, monastery defense walls, and service building. Without restoration of the destroyed buildings and walls, the church[7] of the monastery stood until the Persian-Ottoman War when in 1604 thousands of Armenians were forcibly resettled under Shah Abbas.[3][7]

The church and the remains of the monastery remain. Information panels in Armenian, Russian, Italian, French and English were installed for visitors.[7]

Garegin Nzhdeh

[edit]

The remains of the Armenian military leader and political thinker Garegin Nzhdeh were secretly buried in the yard of Spitakavor Monastery on 9 May 1987[8][9] or in 1983. He had died in a Soviet prison in 1955.[9] Annually on June 17 Armenians across the world conduct a pilgrimage to the monastery's graveyard.[1] His cross stone was sculpted by Gegham Sahakyan.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ According to the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project, Spitakavor became an important center after the closing of the University of Gladzor,[7] while it is also theorized that Spikakavor Monastery may have preceded and played a part in the closure in 1340 of the University of Gladzor.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Spitakavor Church. Find Armenia. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  2. ^ Nicholas Holding (2011). Armenia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-84162-345-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Spitakavor Church". Great Yerevan. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  4. ^ Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages - MetPublications - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2018. p. 104-105.
  5. ^ "Hermitage hall 63".
  6. ^ Armenien: 3000 Jahre Kultur zwischen Ost und West. Trescher Verlag. 2008. p. 395. ISBN 978-3-89794-126-7.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Armenian Monument Awareness Project" (PDF). Spitakavor. Armenian Monuments. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  8. ^ Nzhdeh after his death. ArmTimes. Retrieved 4 December 2013. (Armenian)
  9. ^ a b Nicholas Holding (2011). Armenia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-84162-345-0.
  10. ^ Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages - MetPublications - The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2018. pp. 104–105.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spitakavor.

39°49′47″N 45°21′48″E / 39.82972°N 45.36333°E / 39.82972; 45.36333

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