Khoranashat, Medieval monastery in Chinari, Armenia
Khoranashat is a monastery complex situated on a forested slope roughly 1 kilometer northeast of Chinari village, featuring remnants of stone churches and medieval buildings scattered across the site. The ruins reveal the former scale and layout of this religious settlement.
The monastery was built between 1211 and 1251 under the guidance of Vardapet Vanakan and served as a center for manuscript production and religious learning. Its construction over several decades reflects the gradual development of this important religious site.
The main church displays traditional Armenian building features including an octagonal drum, conical dome, and detailed stonework. These design choices were common across religious structures of the region and remain visible today.
The monastery lies about 200 kilometers from Yerevan and stands only 500 meters from the Azerbaijan border, which affects how you approach it. Visitors should coordinate with local authorities before coming, as the proximity to the border may impose access restrictions.
The monastery walls contain preserved medieval frescoes with inscriptions in Georgian and Greek letters, suggesting cultural connections that extended beyond the local region. These artistic traces show how different peoples influenced the monastery and its spiritual life.
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