Sourb Nshan of Sebastia

Sourb Nshan of Sebastia was a monastery complex in Sivas comprising three churches that stood on a hill overlooking the city. The structures displayed characteristic Armenian architecture and served as a major center of faith and learning for the broader region.

The complex was founded in the 11th century by Seneqerim-Hovhannes of Vaspurakan and developed into a major center of Armenian learning. By the early 20th century it housed an extensive collection of medieval Armenian manuscripts before the complex lost its original purpose.

The monastery stored 283 Armenian manuscripts, with approximately 100 texts transferred to the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem for preservation in 1918.

The site is not accessible to visitors today as it functions as a military base. Information about the historical location comes from external views and documented sources rather than direct access to the interior.

The site housed over 280 medieval Armenian manuscripts, with roughly 100 transferred to the Patriarchate in Jerusalem around 1918. This collection made the monastery one of the key repositories for medieval Armenian culture and learning.

Location: Sivas

Inception: 11 century

Founders: Seneqerim-Hovhannes of Vaspurakan

Architectural style: Armenian architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.84086,36.94236

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02