Matosavank ( hy, Մաթոսավանք) is 13th-century small Armenian monastery, hidden in a forested area of
Dilijan National Park 3 km northwest from the town of
Dilijan in the
Tavush Province of
Armenia. It sits close to the monastery of
Jukhtak Vank
Jukhtak Vank ( hy, Ջուխտակ վանք) is an 11th– or 12th-century monastery situated in a clearing within Dilijan National Park, 3.2 km northwest from the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It sits in close proximity to t ...
as well as to a nearby cemetery. The church is currently in ruins and is relatively difficult to find since trail markers are often misleading.
Matosavank was constructed with the oversight of
Avag, the son of
Ivane
Ivane is a Georgian masculine given name. It is a cognate of the name John. Notable people with the name include:
*Ivane Abazasdze (Georgian: იოანე აბაზასძე), 11th-century Georgian feudal lord, a duke of Kartli under Kin ...
of the
Mkhargrdzeli dynasty after having vowed his submission to the
Mongol invading armies. He later became the military leader of Georgian and Armenian combined forces under
Möngke Khan, the fourth
Great Khan of the
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries was the largest contiguous land empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Europe, ...
.
Architecture
The small church of Surb Astvatsatsin of Pghndzahank was built in 1247 and actually consists of two adjoining churches. It was constructed from roughly hewn stones that have been overlaid with
plaster within the interior of the building. Rooms include a main hall, book depositories, a
portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...
and each have vaulted ceilings that still stand mostly intact. The western walls of the church sit adjacent to the portico, whereas the southern wall at the altar joins the book depository. Upon the exterior of the structure there is an inscription that tells about the foundation of the church. Some of the tile roofing can still be seen.
Gallery
Image:Dilijan-city-map.svg, Map showing Matosavank in relation to Dilijan.
Image:Matosavank Inscription.JPG, Exterior view of Matosavank
Image:Matosavank Interior Inscription.JPG, Inscription written upon the interior tympanum of S. Astvatsatsin of Pghndzahank
References
Bibliography
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External links
Armeniapedia: Matosavank Monastery
Buildings and structures completed in 1247
Religious buildings and structures completed in 1247
Christian monasteries in Armenia
Tourist attractions in Tavush Province
Buildings and structures in Tavush Province
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