Kotavank, 9th century monastery above Argitchi River in Nerkin Getashen, Armenia.
Kotavank is a 9th century monastery set above the Argitchi River, built from basalt blocks in a domed cruciform design. The structure has two entrance portals positioned on its south and west walls.
Prince Grigor Supan founded the monastery in 801, when the area served as the capital of the Syunyats region along an important trade route. The site thus developed in a strategically significant location for commerce and communication.
The site holds a medieval cemetery filled with khachkars, traditional Armenian stone crosses that blend religious faith with skilled carving. These markers reflect local burial practices that continued for centuries around the monastery.
Visitors should expect to navigate uneven ground and sloped terrain when approaching the monastery. Two tunnels beneath the structure can be explored, but they have tight spaces and require careful movement.
The tunnels beneath the monastery served a dual purpose: providing water access while functioning as escape routes during times of conflict. These underground passages reveal practical medieval defensive thinking built into the site's design.
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