Khor Virap - Noravank

The monastery is located above an underground prison, in which, according to legend, the Armenian king Trdat III kept in prison for about 15 years. Gregory the Illuminator before he was converted to Christianity, according to the traditional date, about 301 years. The whole of Armenia was converted to Christianity in 301, thus becoming the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion. Khor Virap Hill is located on the site of the ancient capital of Armenia Artashat, built around 180 BC by King Artashes I, the founder of the Artashesid dynasty. On the territory of the monastery, in its central part there is also a large church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Blessed Virgin), built in the middle of the XVII century. At the same time, cells of monks and the monastery itself were built.

Noravank was founded in 1205 by Bishop Hovhannes. The monastery complex includes the Church of Surb Karapet (St. John the Baptist), the Chapel of Surb Grigor (St. Gregory) with a vaulted hall and the Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). Noravank was also the residence of the Armenian princes of the Orbelians. In the late XIII - early XIV centuries, the architect Siranes and the outstanding sculptor and miniaturist Momik worked here. The fortress walls of the monastery were built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. The most majestic Church of the Holy Virgin (Surb Astvatsatsin), also known as Burtelashen - "built by Burtel" (in honor of Prince Burtel Orbelyan, who financed construction works),

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