| Matosavank Մաթոսավանք | |
|---|---|
 Matosavank interior | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Status | Ruins |
| Location | |
| Location | Near Dilijan, Tavush Province,  Armenia |
  Shown within ArmeniaShow map of Armenia Matosavank (Tavush)Show map of Tavush | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°45′19″N 44°48′29″E / 40.7553°N 44.8081°E / 40.7553; 44.8081 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Small cruciform central-plan |
| Style | Armenian |
| Completed | 1247 |
Matosavank (Armenian: Մաթոսավանք) is 13th-century small Armenian monastery, hidden in a forested area of Dilijan National Park 3 km northwest from the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It sits close to the monastery of Jukhtak Vank as well as to a nearby cemetery. The church is currently in ruins and is relatively difficult to find since trail markers are often misleading.
Matosavank was constructed with the oversight of Avag, the son of Ivane of the Mkhargrdzeli dynasty after having vowed his submission to the Mongol invading armies. He later became the military leader of Georgian and Armenian combined forces under Möngke Khan, the fourth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
Architecture
The small church of Surb Astvatsatsin of Pghndzahank was built in 1247 and actually consists of two adjoining churches. It was constructed from roughly hewn stones that have been overlaid with plaster within the interior of the building. Rooms include a main hall, book depositories, a portico and each have vaulted ceilings that still stand mostly intact. The western walls of the church sit adjacent to the portico, whereas the southern wall at the altar joins the book depository. Upon the exterior of the structure there is an inscription that tells about the foundation of the church. Some of the tile roofing can still be seen.
Gallery
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Map showing Matosavank in relation to Dilijan.
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Exterior view of Matosavank
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Inscription written upon the interior tympanum of S. Astvatsatsin of Pghndzahank
References
Bibliography
- Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio
- Kiesling, Brady (June 2000). Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set for the Historical Monuments of Armenia (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2021.
External links
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- Buildings and structures completed in 1247
- Christian monasteries established in the 1240s
- Christian monasteries in Armenia
- Tourist attractions in Tavush Province
- Buildings and structures in Tavush Province
- Christian monastery stubs
- Armenian building and structure stubs
- Oriental Orthodox church stubs
- Armenian Apostolic Church stubs