Armenian landscapes: Smbataberd, Tsakhats Kar Monastery [Photoreport]

Smbataberd is one of the largest and oldest fortresses of Armenia and Syunik.

Smbataberd fortress is situated on top of a mountain southeast of Artabuynk (formerly known as Yeghegis) village of Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province. The real name of the fortress unknown, people call it Smbataberd (Smbat’s fortress) as King Smbat is buried in the village nearby. According to another version, the fortress was named after Smbat, Prince of Syunik. PAN Photo photographer Karo Sahakyan visited Smbataberd, as well as Tsakhats Kar Monastery located in the neighborhood.

October 21, 2015

PanARMENIAN.Net - Protected by deep canyons of Artabuni and Yeghegis, the fortress is divided into northern and southern parts by a wall, where the ruins of the citadel, the residential buildings and water reservoirs have been preserved. Water supply systems were used to provide Smbataberd with water from springs near Tsakhats Kar Monastery.

Smbataberd is one of the largest and oldest fortresses of Armenia and Syunik, in particular. The masonry suggests that the fortress dates back to the 9-10 cc., but may possibly go back to as early as the 5th c.

Consisting of two groups of buildings, Tsakhats Kar Monastic complex is situated 2 km east of the fortress. 2 churches, built of finely polished basalt blocks are located in the western part - Surb Karapet domed church has a large monumental slab depicting a fight between a lion and a bull on the northern front, as well as an eagle holding a ram on the southern front, now broken. Surb Hovhannes church is situated in the northeastern part of the complex.

A Tsakhats Kar Monastery wall

Tsakhats Kar

Smbataberd

The monastery once had an operating library, where a Sharaknots (collection of Armenian chants in 1437), Gospels (1463 and 1492) and Tonatsuyts (book of religious Armenian holidays in 1483) were replicated.