Tegher Monastery

Tegher Monastery Տեղերի Վանք
The Monastery of Tegher.
Shown within Armenia
Basic information
Location	Near the modern village of Tegher and across the gorge from Byurakan, Aragatsotn Province, Armenia
Geographic coordinates	40°20′42″N 44°14′26″E / 40.345092°N 44.240544°E / 40.345092; 44.240544Coordinates: 40°20′42″N 44°14′26″E / 40.345092°N 44.240544°E / 40.345092; 44.240544
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Architectural description
Architect(s)	Vardapet Aghbayrik
Architectural style	Armenian
Completed	13th century

Tegher Monastery (Armenian: Տեղեր or Տեղերի Վանք; also Tegheri Vank) is an early 13th-century Armenian monastery and church located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Aragats near the modern village of Tegher, and across the gorge from the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It was built for Princess Khatun (also known as Mamakhatun), the wife of Prince Vache Vachutian who had purchased the district of Aragatzotn from the Zakarian brothers. The architect Vardapet Aghbayrik designed Tegher and the monasteries of Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank during the 13th century. The monastery survived intact during a time when Mongol invasions plagued the lands.

Ruins of the 9th century village of Tegher (Old Tegher) sit a short distance walk from the monastery. Numerous foundations may be seen, along with the remains of a Tukh Manuk funerary chapel of the 5th century. Nearby is also the medieval to 19th century cemetery with some mausoleums and khachkars.

Architecture

Church

The church of Surb Astvatsatsin was built in 1213, and is constructed from dark gray basalt. It is a cruciform type plan with a chamber in each of the four corners and a semicircular apse at the end of the hall. A central tall round drum rests above with a tent style dome, supported by the corners of the square which is supported by columns below. The roof of the church is gabled. The structure is simply decorated except for the cornice moldings and accentuation of the arches in the main area. From the exterior, the building is rectangular with two wall niches and windows on the north, east, and south.

Gavit

The gavit adjacent to S. Astvatsatsin was finished in 1221. It is a large central-plan with four large columns. Intersecting arches support the square on which a dome with an oculus sits. Situated towards the front of the gavit at either corner, are two second-story rooms where students of the monastery once lived and were able to escape persecution from potential invading forces. Above these rooms are towers that are similar in construction to the main dome and drum of the church. On one of the columns of the gavit is an inscription that gives credit to the architect Vardapet Aghbayrik for designing S. Astvatsatsin and its gavit. In this same structure are numerous graves, one of which is the noble Princess Khatun and another is her husband Prince Vatcheh Vatchutian. Just outside the gavit, upon the front façade above the portal are a grouping of cross designs carved into the stone. Each is a memorial to a wealthy donor who supported the construction of the monastery, and is thus given "free passage" to heaven.

Gallery

Road map showing the location of Tegher Monastery and the surrounding region.
View with the foundation.
View from the southeast side.
Portal at the front façade of the gavit.
One of the columns of the gavit. The grave of Princess Khatun lays covered with a white cloth behind.
Dome located centrally above the gavit.
5th century Tukh Manuk Chapel ruins near the monastic complex.
Khachkar at the chapel.

References

Bibliography

Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tegher Monastery.

Historic Armenian monasteries and churches

Armenia	Aghjots Vank Akhtala Arakelots of Kirants Areni Artavazik Aruchavank Arshakid Mausoleum Bgheno-Noravank Byurakan Ddmashen Dvin Etchmiadzin Garnahovit Gayane Geghard Gharghavank Gladzor Gndevank Goshavank Haghartsin Haghpat Harichavank Havuts Tar Hayravank Hnevank Horomayri Hovhannavank Hripsime Jukhtak Vank Karbi Karmravor Kasagh Katoghike Katoghike Tsiranavor of Avan Kecharis Khor Virap Kirants Kobayr Kotavank Kristapori Vank Lmbatavank Makaravank Makenyats Vank Makravank Marmashen Mashtots Hayrapet Mastara Matosavank Neghutsi Vank Nor Varagavank Noratus Noravank Odzun Oshakan Pemzashen Ptghavank Saghmosavank Saint Paul and Peter Saint Gevork of Mughni Samsoni Sanahin Sevanavank Shoghakat Spitakavor of Ashtarak Spitakavor of Vayots Dzor Surp Astvatsatsin of Vagharshapat Surp Hakob of Kanaker Surp Mariane of Ashtarak Surp Sarkis of Ashtarak Talin Tanahat Targmanchats Vank Tatev Tatevi Anapat Tegher Tsakhats Kar Tsiranavor of Ashtarak Tsovinar Ushi Vahanavank Vahramashen Vanevan Vorotnavank Voskepar Voskevaz Yeghipatrush Yeghvard Yererouk Zoravor Zvartnots

Nagorno-Karabakh	Amaras Dadivank Gandzasar Gtichavank Katarovank Tsitsernavank Yeghishe Arakyal Yerits Mankants

Azerbaijan	Saint Sarkis Monastery of Gag Targmanchats List of Armenian churches in Azerbaijan

Cyprus	Surp Magar Monastery Notre Dame de Tyre Sourp Asdvadzadzin Sourp Boghos chapel Sourp Haroutiun Chapel Sourp Amenapergitch Sourp Stepanos Sourp Kevork Church Ganchvor monastery

Georgia	Arants Vank Betlehemi Chugureti Ejmiatsnetsots Surp Gevork S. Grigor Lusavorich Jigrasheni Avetyats Kamoyants Karapet Karapi Karmir Avetaran Khojivank Krtsanits Tsiranavor (Geghardavank) Mughni Norashen Surp Nshan Saint Sarkis Surp Stepanos Zrkinyants

Iran	Saint Stepanos Monastery Saint Thaddeus Monastery Surp Asdvadsadsin Church of Darashamb Surp Asdvadsadsin Church of Tabriz Chapel of Chupan Saint Gevorg Church of Haftvan Chapel of Dzordzor Surp Asdvadzadzin Surp Amenaprkich Vank Surp Bethlehem Church Surp Asdvadsadsin of New Julfa Surp Gevorg Church of New Julfa

Jerusalem and Holy Land	Cathedral of St. James St. Toros Church Church of the Holy Archangels Chapel of Saint Helena Saint Nicholas Monastery

Turkey	Aghtamar Ani Cathedral Arakelots Monastery Arapgir Cathedral Arter Banak Church of the Redeemer Holy Mother of God Cathedral Horomos Karmravank Kars Cathedral Khtzkonk Ktuts Lim Monastery of the All-Saviour (Trebizond) Mren Diyarbakir Soradir Narekavank Saint Bartholomew Monastery Surb Nshan Monastery Saint George of Samatya, Istanbul Saint Hakob of Akori Monastery Surb Karapet Monastery Surp Gevork of Goms Surp Marineh Church, Mush Tekor Basilica Varagavank Varzahan Monastery Yerazgavors

Ukraine	Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Surp Khach Monastery

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