Surb Grigori Bardzrakash Monastery

Surb Grigori Bardzrakash is a medieval monastery complex in Lori Province consisting of two churches, a vestibule, and a chapel positioned above the Marts river. The structures stand within the Tavut forest and display characteristic construction using rough-hewn basalt stones from the local landscape.

The monastery was established in the tenth century with a single-nave hall church constructed from rough-hewn basalt stones. This original structure formed the foundation upon which the complex later expanded with additional buildings.

The monastery grounds contain numerous khachkars, traditional Armenian memorial stones carved with crosses, and serve as an ancestral burial ground for the Mamikonyan family. These carved stones shape the appearance of the site and speak to the deep connection between faith and family across generations.

Accessing the monastery requires a walk through rural landscapes between Dsegh village and Tumanyan town in northern Armenia. Wearing sturdy footwear and bringing water is advisable since the journey crosses unpopulated terrain.

The World Monuments Fund included this monastery on their 2014 Watch list to protect it from natural forces and deterioration. This international recognition highlights how fragile the site is and why its survival requires sustained attention.