Mayravank, Medieval monastery in Solak, Armenia
Mayravank is a monastery in Solak, Armenia, built on elevated ground with a stone church featuring a central dome and rectangular side structures. The complex includes remains of supporting buildings arranged around the main church.
The monastery was established in the 7th century by Hovhan Mayravanetsi and later renamed Mayragom by Catholicos Ezr Parajnaketsi. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church was built in the 11th century, marking an important rebuilding phase.
This monastery displays the distinctive forms of Armenian church architecture, where half-columns and specific entrance placements reflect local building traditions. The complex shows how religious communities shaped their spaces according to regional stone-working knowledge.
The site is reached through the village of Solak in Kotayk Province and sits on raised ground that gives a good view of the surroundings. The terrain is open, so check weather before visiting and wear suitable footwear for uneven stone surfaces.
An inscription from 1224 remains carved into the western wall, showing the monastery was still active well into the medieval period. The eastern facade displays intricate triangular shapes and paired stone niches that reveal how Armenian craftspeople refined their masonry techniques.
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