Tegher Monastery, Tegher, Armenia

The Tegher Monastery (also called Dgher) is situated in the Tegher village of the Aragatsotn Province, on the southern flank of Mount Aragats. It consists of domical church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Virgin Maryt) and vestibule (arm.gavit). According to the inscription preserved on the one of the vestibule columns construction of the monastery was sponsored by prince Vacheh Vachutian`s wife Mamakhatoun. The architect was the priest (vardapet) Aghbayrik. The construction was started in 1213 and finished in 1232.

The monastery built from dark grey basalt is notable for its austere style and lack of any decorative elements. In the Armenian architecture of that time the vestibule of the Tegher Monastery is singled out with its unusual structure: two chapels were erected on its roof, in the north-east and the north-west corners.

In 1467 the Monastery was enclosed by the walls. In the 20th century the complex was twice reconstructed (in 1940-1952 and 1975-1976.); the roof was covered with tufa stones, domes of the chapel were repaired, walls and the cornices strengthened.

By Natalia Ghukasyan, www.building.am

Photos: www.wikipedia.org