Kusanats Anapat, Armenian monastery in Kalbajar District, Azerbaijan.
Kusanats Anapat is an Armenian monastery located in a mountainous area of Kalbajar District. The complex comprises a main church called Surb Astvatsatsin and approximately twenty additional structures distributed across the landscape.
The monastery was founded in 1174, as documented by an inscription recording its establishment by a princess, daughter of King Kyurike. This founding links the site to Armenian royal lineage and the religious history of the region.
The monastery displays characteristic features of Armenian religious architecture with pointed domes, narrow windows, and ornate stone carvings that reflect local building traditions. These elements shape how the complex looks and express the artistic heritage that defined the site for generations.
The site is located in a mountainous area best explored on foot. Access is typically gained via hiking trails or with local guides who can navigate the terrain from the surrounding region.
Two ancient khachkars, Armenian cross-stones with inscriptions, stood at the eastern church entrance until 1989. These artfully carved stones embodied the spiritual legacy of the place in physical form.
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