Arates Monastery

Arates Monastery, this medieval Armenian architectural monastic complex is located in the village of Arates, Vayots Dzor Region, RA, on the bank of the Arates tributary of the Yeghegis River, on the top of a hill. The semi-finished monument group consists of several chapels, St. Sion (10th century), St. Astvatsatsin (XI century) churches and two courtyards (XIII century). It is believed that the initial construction of the monument was founded in the 7th century, although the oldest written information refers to the 9th century.

S. Sion Church - built in the 10th century. It is a one-nave vaulted church. There are three depositories on the 2 sides of the altar and adjacent to the northern wall.

S. Astvatsatsin Church - located in St. On the south side of Zion Church. It was built in the XI century. It is a domed hall with a pair of walls.

First vestibule - built by St. Next to the western facade of Astvatsatsin Church. This is the most remarkable structure of the complex. It was built by Siranes architect in 1270. Among the clients and builders, Hayrapet Abegha, Grigorik, Stepanos are mentioned. The roof of the vestibule is realized in an original way of using intersecting arches. From one pair of arches running in the north-south direction, one semi-arch is directed towards the eastern and western walls. At the center of a pair of arches is a lapis lazuli dome. Now demolished.

The second vestibule is located on St. Sion and S. between Astvatsatsin churches. It was built in the 13th century. It is a structure with a square plan, two eastern storage rooms.

5 chapels - built between churches.

The monastery was surrounded by a wall, which was destroyed in the 17th century. Currently, a part of the northern wall is preserved. In the territory of the monastery there are X-XVII centuries. khachkars and tombstones. 1959-1961 one of the crossing arches of the vestibule was restored - K. Under the leadership of Ghafadaryan. 1988-1989 Many church fragments have been fully accounted for, numbered and measured by the Monuments Preservation Department. Design works were carried out for the purpose of restoration.

Photo By: Cosmo Deus