Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Sevan Monastery

Sevan Monastery Photo by Adam Jones Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Sevan Monastery

Sevan monastery known as just Sevanavank is a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia, not far from the town of Sevan. Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island.

After the artificial draining of Lake Sevan, which started in the era of Joseph Stalin, the water level fell about 20 metres, and the island transformed into a peninsula.Let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable facts about it;

1.The monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, daughter of Ashot I

The monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I (who became a king a decade later). At the time, Armenia was still struggling to free itself from Arab rule.The monastery was strict as it was mainly intended for those monks from Etchmiadzin who had sinned.

Jean-Marie Chopin, a French explorer of the Caucasus, visited there in 1830 and wrote of a regimen restraining from meat, wine, youth or women. Another explorer visited the monastery in 1850 and wrote of how manuscripts were still being copied manually.

2.The monastery has two churches

Sevanavank, Sevan Monastery Photo by Violla M. Wikimedia

The monastery has two churches. The two churches of the complex, Surp Arakelots meaning the “Holy Apostles” and Surp Astvatsatsin meaning the “Holy Mother of God”, are both cruciform plan structures with octagonal tambours. The two are quite similar to each other in appearance.

Adjacent are the ruins of a gavit whose roof was originally supported by six wooden columns. Some of the remains of the gavit and its columns can be seen in the Yerevan Museum of History.Reconstruction and restoration efforts took place from 1956 to 1957.

3.The monastery shares surroundings with some of the most renowned places

Sevan Monastery Photo by Adam Jones Wikimedia

The monastery shares surroundings with some of the most renowned places including the Yerevan history museum, At the southern shore of this newly created peninsula, a guesthouse of the Armenian Writers’ Union was built.

The eastern shore is occupied by the Armenian president’s summer residence, while the monastery’s still active seminary moved to newly constructed buildings at the northern shore of the peninsula.

4.It was separated from the shore by 3 km of transparent water full of fish

The island and the monastery was separated from the shore by 3 km of transparent water full of fish, which were caught by the monastery. The monks first arrived there at the end of the 8th century, and they built a small chapel and few cells.

The island position was so convenient that the growing monastic brotherhood started to build a monastery there. First they cut a ledge in the rock and laid big stone blocks on it. Very soon the wall gained a watch tower, and little gate surrounded the island. Later three churches, cells and other structures were constructed. 

5.The church buildings were constructed from black tuff, as result its name Sevanavank

Sevanavank Photo by MSyuzan Wikimedia

The church buildings were constructed from black tuff, which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – “the Black Monastery”. The churches are cross-shaped buildings. They are distinguished by their masonry, featuring cut stones in combination with encasement of the drums and similar eaves and arches.

Inside the main remaining church is an interesting khachkar. Not only is this khachkar one of the handful that features Jesus Christ, but the carving is intricate and detailed (despite the toughness of the stone). The image of Christ has distinctly Mongol features, since it replicates the style that was common in the 12th-13th centuries.

6.The Peninsula is of great importance in the history of armenia

The peninsula was a religious center even centuries before the Sevanavank Monastery was built. Even before Armenia’s adoption of Christianity as a state religion there was a small pagan temple on the island of Sevan. Besides its religious role, Sevanavank played also important role in Armenian history.

It was once a place of battle between Armenian and Arabic armed forces. According to legend, despite the unequality of forces, king Ashot’s army was able to win the battle. Sun helped the Armenian forces. During the battle, sun rays were hitting Arabs’ eyes so that they couldn’t point properly on Armenian ships, and had to surrender.

7.Sevanavank is situated 60 km far from Yerevan city, the capital of Armenia

Sevanavank is situated 60 km far from Yerevan city, the capital of Armenia. To reach the monastery, you can take a minibus, a train, a taxi, rent a car or join a travel group. A minibus departs from the Northern Bus Station every 20 minutes or so. A bus ticket is 500 AMD (around $1).

It will take you to Sevan town where you can take a taxi and reach the lake for about 1000 AMD ($2). You can either take a train from Almast railway station costing about 500-1000 AMD ($1-$2) to reach Sevan town. If you travel by a taxi from Yerevan, it will take 1 hour and 10 minutes and will cost about 7000-15000 AMD ($14-$22).

8.It offers magnificent panoramic views of the azure Sevan – the pearl of Armenia

The location of the monastery is truly fascinating: being built at the hilltop it offers magnificent panoramic views of the azure Sevan – the pearl of Armenia. The Sevan Peninsula, which once used to be an island, is known as a settlement since the Bronze Age. 

This is one of the most photographed monasteries in Armenia, and for good reason, the views of the lake behind are beautiful. You have to climb up many flights of stairs to reach the monastery. Lake Sevan is a good place to relax while traveling and if there spend 30 minutes at this monastery.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near the monastery 

There are several hotels and restaurants near the monastery. Hotels near Monastery Sevanavank include; Sevan Writers House which is 0.08 miles away, Hotel Ashot Erkat (0.10 mi), Hotel Kambuz (0.20 mi), Golden Rest at Sevan Peninsula (0.58 mi) and Garden Inn Resort Sevan which is 0.58 miles away. 

Restaurants near Monastery Sevanavank include; Hayetsi restaurant, Sevan Writers House restaurant (0.09 mi), Ashot Erkat (0.12 mi), Anchor Restaurante (0.65 mi) and Bohem Studio-Teahouse (3.13 mi). 

10.It is among the most historical sites of the Armenian history and existence

The monastery is among the most historical sites of the Armenian history and existence. Its significance to the history of Armenia makes it one of the most visited sites in Armenia. People of all classes have come to visit this place including student who come here to study. 

On the territory of the monastery, numerous khachkars have been preserved, which are the pride of the entire Armenian people. The most unique one is Amenaprkich or the All-Savior khachkar. The complexity of the carving and ornate patterns of khachkars evidence the skill of Armenian monks.