Tegheniats Monastery and the Early Medieval Churches of Aragatsotn

The Architectural Heritage of Aragatsotn

On the slopes of Aragats and in the valley of the Kasagh River, one of the richest regions of Armenian architecture took shape. Early medieval cross-winged domed and hall churches stand side by side here, along with monastic complexes of a later period. In this article we will look at Teghenyats Monastery, Oshakan, the churches of Ashtarak and Mughni.

Teghenyats Monastery

Teghenyats Monastery is located in the Kotayk Province, about 3 km north of the village of Buzhakan, in a forested clearing. The monastery is mentioned in written sources as early as the 720s. In that period Armenian monastic architecture, despite difficult political conditions, continued to develop, and such complexes served not only a religious but also an educational and cultural role.

Teghenyats Monastery is one of the medieval spiritual, educational and cultural centers of the Kotayk Province.

Oshakan: The Tomb of Mesrop Mashtots

Oshakan is one of the best-known shrines of Aragatsotn. According to Armenian tradition and the testimony of historians, Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet (died in 440), is buried here. Koryun, in his work «The Life of Mashtots», describes the death and burial of Mashtots in Oshakan.

The present Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church was built at the end of the 19th century on the site of an earlier church. Next to the church stands the monument to the Armenian alphabet. Oshakan has become a center of pilgrimage and of commemoration of the history of Armenian writing.

The Churches of Ashtarak

Ashtarak lies on the edge of the Kasagh gorge, and monuments of various centuries are concentrated around it. One of the best known is Karmravor Church, a small but elegant 7th-century structure, whose name is connected with its reddish tuff. It belongs to the select group of early medieval Armenian domed churches.

In the same town there is also the Spitakavor Astvatsatsin Church, a medieval structure that is memorable for its proportions.

Mughni

The Saint George Church of Mughni is located in the vicinity of Ashtarak. It was built in the 17th century and, in its size and composition, is one of the large medieval churches of Aragatsotn. Remains of murals have been preserved inside the church. The church of Mughni was also a center of Armenian manuscript writing and cultural life.

Architectural Features of the Region

The monuments of Aragatsotn are built mainly of local tuff and basalt. These stones made it possible to create both large volumes and fine decorative details. The main types of Armenian church building are represented here: hall, basilica and domed compositions, which makes it possible to trace the development of architectural thought over the centuries.

Why It Is Important to Preserve This Heritage

These monuments have not only architectural value, but are also living testimony to the spiritual and cultural continuity of the Armenian people. Their preservation, study and inclusion in the region's tourism network are an important task both for scholarship and for public memory.

Sources

• Koryun — The Life of Mashtots