Shoghakat Church, Religious monument in Vagharshapat, Armenia.
The church structure features an octagonal dome supported by six columns, with geometrical patterns adorning its western facade and entrance portal.
Prince Aghamal Sorotetsi commissioned the construction of Shoghakat Church in 1694 during the reign of Catholicos Nahabed I on the site of martyred nuns.
The name Shoghakat translates to 'drop of light' in Armenian, referring to the divine illumination witnessed at the location of Christian martyrs.
The church interior maintains a single western entrance leading to a minimalist layout with a central hall illuminated through strategically placed windows.
Archaeological excavations revealed remnants of a 4th-century memorial chapel beneath the current structure, demonstrating continuous religious presence at this location.
Location: Vagharshapat
GPS coordinates: 40.16810,44.30488
Latest update: March 5, 2025 08:19
Armenia hosts a collection of archaeological, religious, and natural sites that testify to several millennia of rich human occupation. The country's mountainous territory features medieval monasteries perched on rocky plateaus, such as Tatev which overlooks gorges from 5,250 feet (1600 meters), or Khor Virap offering a direct view of Mount Ararat. Religious buildings are complemented by ancient remains like the Greco-Hellenistic temple at Garni, built in the first century, and the circular ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral. Military fortresses such as Amberd, situated at 7,550 feet (2300 meters), demonstrate defensive architecture developed as early as the seventh century. The Armenian landscape also shapes notable geological formations, including the Noravank gorges with their red sandstone walls rising up to 650 feet (200 meters), and the Debed canyon, which houses the listed monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. Lake Sevan, a freshwater body situated at nearly 6,200 feet (1900 meters), extends over more than 470 square miles (1200 square kilometers) and features monasteries and beaches along its shores. Significant archaeological discoveries have been made at sites like the Areni-1 cave, where artifacts over 6000 years old have been uncovered, while the Megalithic site of Zorats Karer contains more than 200 standing stones dating back several millennia B.C.
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