Noravank

Armenian Apostolic Monastic Complex, built in the 13th to 14th centuries. It is located in Vayots Dzor region of the Republic of Armenia, 3 km north-east of Amaghu village. According to Stepanos Orbelyan, it has been a sanctuary since the early Middle Ages. The first floor of the building is half-stepped, with 7 steps leading from the only western door. Served as a tomb. Inside, in the central part of the roof, are the symbols of the 4 evangelists. The frontal, semi-circular stone entrance to the first floor depicts the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne, holding the baby Jesus in her arms, and the Archangels Gabriel and Michael standing on either side. The surface of the entrance frames is covered with wicker ornaments. The second floor of the building is cross-decorated on the outside and inside, decorated with decorative arches, and large, convex crosses are carved above the window frames. The stairs, which run from the first to the second floor, are of purely practical use, forming a triangular frame around the entrance, giving the building a unique look. In the composition of Burtelashen, the lighted dome-column dome-rotunda of the slender bell tower stands out. The monastery was surrounded by rough stones, without a fence built of lime mortar. Inside the fence is the monastery’s guest house. Restoration and construction of the monastery was completed in 1999.