Havuts Tar
Encyclopedia
Havuts Tar is a 11-13th century walled monastery
in the Azat River Valley across from the villages of Goght
and Garni
in the Kotayk Province of Armenia
. It can be reached easily from the Khosrov Reserve which it is situated within, located across the Garni Gorge
. A trail leads directly from the left side of the reserve entrance to the monastic complex. Khachkars
can be found midway along the trail as it forks left upon a very low mound. Also a short distance from the monastery (clearly visible in the background) in a small field to the left there is a large khachkar and a small monument/shrine
. Following the trail a little further leads to the walls and ruins of the monastic complex. Just before entering through the wall of the monastery, a trail leads to the right up a hill and through a slightly wooded area. At the end of this trail not too far away, are the ruins of a small chapel
with two khachkars nearby to the left and one to the right.
Temple) with a small number of graves nearby. The building is constructed of a mixture of burnt orange and dark brown tuff
. The ruin of another small grey structure is attached adjacent to the main church, a portion of which has since collapsed and lay at the base of the hill below. According to Mkhitar Airivanatsy, Gevorg Marzpetuni built the Amenaprkich Church in the 10th century. It was later rebuilt in 1013 by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni
, son of Vasak Pahlavuni according to inscriptions.
The monastery is known to have had a brief visit during October 1734 by Abraham Kretatsi
during the time while he was serving the Catholicos Abraham II. He brought a monk as a guide and spent two days there while on his pilgrimage
to a number of monasteries.
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in the Azat River Valley across from the villages of Goght
Goght
Goght is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, known from 13th century manuscripts as Goghot. It is located near Garni and sits along the road leading to Geghard Monastery...
and Garni
Garni
Garni is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, situated approximately 28 km southeast from Yerevan.- History :...
in the Kotayk Province of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
. It can be reached easily from the Khosrov Reserve which it is situated within, located across the Garni Gorge
Garni Gorge
The Garni Gorge is situated 23 km east of Yerevan, Armenia, just below the village with the same name. On a promontory above the gorge, the 1st century AD Garni temple may be seen. Along the sides of the gorge are cliff walls of well preserved basalt columns, carved out by the Goght River. This...
. A trail leads directly from the left side of the reserve entrance to the monastic complex. Khachkars
Khachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
can be found midway along the trail as it forks left upon a very low mound. Also a short distance from the monastery (clearly visible in the background) in a small field to the left there is a large khachkar and a small monument/shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
. Following the trail a little further leads to the walls and ruins of the monastic complex. Just before entering through the wall of the monastery, a trail leads to the right up a hill and through a slightly wooded area. At the end of this trail not too far away, are the ruins of a small chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
with two khachkars nearby to the left and one to the right.
Monastic Complex
Within the walls of the Havuts Tar monastic complex is a church located in the middle, ruins of another building adjacent to it, monastic buildings situated around a portion of the walls, vaulted guest rooms, and a large underground chamber. There are numerous inscriptions and beautiful carvings to be found all over the complex. Just outside of the monastery walls, are remnants of the stone foundations of other smaller structures. The majority of the monastic complex was built between the 12-14th c. After being destroyed by a large earthquake in 1679, it was rebuilt in the early 18th c. by the Catholicos Astvatsatur Hamadantsi.Amenaprkich Church
On the western outcrop upon a hill is the Amenaprkich Church (which can be seen from across the gorge all the way to GarniGarni
Garni is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, situated approximately 28 km southeast from Yerevan.- History :...
Temple) with a small number of graves nearby. The building is constructed of a mixture of burnt orange and dark brown tuff
Tuff
Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
. The ruin of another small grey structure is attached adjacent to the main church, a portion of which has since collapsed and lay at the base of the hill below. According to Mkhitar Airivanatsy, Gevorg Marzpetuni built the Amenaprkich Church in the 10th century. It was later rebuilt in 1013 by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni
Gregory Magistros
Gregory Magistros was an Armenian linguist, scholar and public functionary. A layman of the princely Pahlavuni family, he was the son of Vassak Pahlavuni. After Byzantium annexed the Kingdom of Ani, Gregory went on to serve as the Governor-general of the province of Edessa. The Byzantine Emperor...
, son of Vasak Pahlavuni according to inscriptions.
The monastery is known to have had a brief visit during October 1734 by Abraham Kretatsi
Abraham III of Armenia
Catholicos Abraham III was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1734 and 1737. Born in Heraklion, Crete, to a Greek mother, he was bishop of Rodosto, Thrace and then Armenian prelate of Thrace from 1708-1734...
during the time while he was serving the Catholicos Abraham II. He brought a monk as a guide and spent two days there while on his pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
to a number of monasteries.