Vanevan Monastery

Artsvanist, Armenia

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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ReferenceKulturenvanteri↗

Vanevan Monastery stands in a gorge south of the village of Artsvanist in Armenia's Gegharkunik Province, southeast of Lake Sevan. The main Church of Saint Grigor was built in 903 by Prince Shapuh Bagratuni and his sister Mariam, siblings of King Smbat I, employing tufa and basalt in the Armenian architectural tradition. A second church on the southern end likely dates to the same period, with a gavit (covered hall) added between them in later times. In the late 10th century, King Gagik I of the Bagratid dynasty undertook significant restoration of Saint Grigor and commissioned a surrounding wall. King Smbat I was interred at the monastery in 914, cementing its importance as a royal burial site.