Kecharis Monastery, Medieval monastery in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia
Kecharis is a monastery complex in the mountainous region of Tsaghkadzor built from dark stone with four main churches, two additional chapels, and a structure for graves. The buildings display typical Armenian architectural features including barrel vaults, stone carvings, and carefully fitted stonework arranged across the hillside.
The complex began in the 11th century with the construction of the main church dedicated to Saint Gregory the Illuminator in 1033. Additional structures were built over subsequent centuries, transforming the site into a major religious center throughout medieval times.
This monastery remains an active place of worship where the Armenian Apostolic Church continues its religious traditions and community gatherings. Visitors can observe how the different churches and chapels serve the spiritual needs of worshippers who come here for prayer and ceremonies.
Visitors can explore the grounds freely, viewing the buildings from various angles and examining stone carvings and architectural details throughout the site. The location sits on a hillside, so some physical effort is needed to move between different areas and reach all the structures.
The main altar shows a sophisticated stone construction with double-tier niches that carry multiple arches supporting the vault above. This building technique was typical of medieval Armenian builders and demonstrates their skill in balancing heavy stone structures without modern equipment.
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