Mashtots Hayrapet Church
Garni, Armenia
Cultural Treasure
A simple, yet architecturally beautiful 12th century church standing amidst groves of walnuts trees. Originally the site of a pagan shrine, some motifs and carvings around the Mashtots Hayrapet Church reference pagan symbols, perhaps indicating a connection from Armenia’s past to their present.
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QUICK FACTS
Location:
The church is located in the center of the simple village of Garni, home to 6,000 people and around 1 hour east of the capitol.
Period:
The current church was constructed in the 12th century A.D. The church was constructed in the similar time as the famous Geghard Monastery a few miles to the east, perhaps using a similar architecture for this smaller chapel.
Purpose:
It was, and is still, used as a place of worship. This location was formerly a pagan shrine, but after the Christendom of Armenia, it was converted to a church.
Now:
Often overlooked compared to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery, it is now seldom visited save for locals of Garni. No entrance fee collected.
SNAPSHOTS OF THE TREASURE
