Bgheno-Noravank, Medieval monastery in Bardzravan, Armenia
Bgheno-Noravank is a monastery in Bardzravan positioned on a triangular rock promontory surrounded by wooded gorges. The church measures approximately 9.5 meters in both length and width, displaying traditional Armenian architecture with carefully crafted stone elements.
The monastery was built in 1001 and formally dedicated in 1062, marking it as a significant religious site of the High Middle Ages. Its ruins remained hidden until writer Axel Bakunts rediscovered them in 1932.
The entrance is framed by five large stones carved with intricate designs, showing how craftspeople applied traditional Armenian building methods to religious structures. These carvings reflect the artistic tastes that shaped sacred architecture of the period.
Access is via the road leading from Bardzravan toward Shurnukh, located about three kilometers east of the village. Visitors should be prepared for uneven pathways and natural surroundings, so appropriate footwear and time to explore are necessary.
Despite its compact exterior, the interior of the church creates an unexpected sense of space and openness. This contrast between the small outside and the airy interior is a distinctive aspect of its design.
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