Bardzrakash Monastery

Bardzrakash St. Gregory Monastery is located in the Lori Region of Armenia, 2 km northeast of the village of Dsegh, on the platform of the left side valley of the Marts (Martsajur) River. It is a medieval (X-XIII centuries) monastic complex. The main group of monuments of the complex consists of two adjacent churches and a vestibule, south of which are the other structures of the complex: St. Harutyun Chapel ("Agravitapan"), Mamikonian tribal cemetery, olive oil. The monastery bridge is located in the valley. Saint Grigor Church is the oldest of the preserved monuments of the complex, which dates back to approximately the 10th century. It is on the north side of the monument complex. It has a single-aisle hall-type composition. Built with coarsely worked basalt pebbles (felsite was also used later). The 3-4 m high walls have been preserved. Surb Astsvatsatsin Church is the main church of the complex. It is adjacent to S. from the north. Gregory joined the church. It is a domed basilica type monument. The prayer hall is three-nave with a pentagonal tabernacle on the eastern side. Built with yellow-pink felsite hewn stones. According to the inscription on the southern wall, it was built by Martspan, the grandson of Hamazasp Mamikonyan, in 1221.

The lobby - (c. Unlike traditional Armenian vestibules, the vestibule adjoins the church not from the west, but from the south. A deviation from the traditional type of vestibules is also the presence of an altar on the eastern side of the building. The exterior facade of the altar depicts the sign of the Mamikonian dynasty-a double-headed eagle holding a lamb in its claws. It is rich in inscriptions mentioning the names of people who participated in the construction of the narthex. according to these inscriptions, the altar was completed in 1247.: Decorated with exquisite decorative elements of high art., which is decorated with five-pointed stars:

S. Chapel of the Resurrection ("Keeper of the Raven") - built in 1234. The inscription has been preserved on the eastern plate:

The ancestral cemetery of the Mamikonyans - is located in the village of Medieval cemetery, largely of the XIII century. with khachkars and tombstones:

Olivan - is located in S. According to the inscription, it was built in 1266. The inscription is engraved on the side of a basalt marble stone with a diameter of 2 m:

Bridge - XIII century: Bridge lintels on the left bank of the Martz River have been preserved:

Photo By: Cosmo Deus