Bgheno Noravank

Bgheno Noravank is located in the Syunik Region of Armenia, 3-4 km east of the village of Bazhravan, on the high right bank of the Vorotan River, on a triangular shelf surrounded by wooded gorges. It is one of the medieval monastic complexes of Syunik. Accidentally discovered by the writer Axel Bakunts in 1932. According to historian Stepanos Orbelyan (XIII-XIV centuries), the main construction of the monastery was done twice. the first in 936 By Stepanos, a priest of the Sisaka dynasty, with the assistance of Prince Hrahat. The second began not much later than the first and, according to the record, ended in 1062, during the patriarchate of Prince Grigor of Syunyat and Bishop Ter Hovhan of Syunyat. Bgheno Noravank has been rebuilt many times, but it reached us in a half-destroyed state. Remains of the wall and auxiliary buildings can be seen near the monastery. According to the study, the initial structure was a small-scale monument with a rectangular plan, storage rooms protruding on the eastern side, a double-sloped roof, and wide lateral arches.

The church - is the central structure of the complex, it has a structure of a vaulted hall, built with huge basalt stones. It is one of the unique monuments of Armenian architecture due to the uniqueness of its plot composition. Along the north, south and west facades are annexed halls, two rectangular rooms under a common gable roof. The large arched openings, two of which occupy the entire north and south facades, transform the church into a spacious open portico, which is thought to have been intended to make the passage visible and audible to those outside. The structure is decorated with high-art frescoes, which are closely related to the Tatev school of mural painting and miniature painting. The sculptured porch of the western facade is particularly emphasized. On the outer walls of the church, on the slabs, there are sculptures depicting the life of Christ. Two of the eight preserved slabs are in their place - "Avetum" and "Ascension", the rest have fallen down.

Porch portico - attached to the church on the west side, covering the entire front wall.

Photo By: Cosmo Deus