Gandzasar monastery

Gandsassar (Armenian Գանձասար, transliteration Gandzasar; Azerbaijani Gəncəsər ) is an Armenian monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is located to the southwest of the town Wank situated heights in the province Martakert the de facto from Azerbaijan, to which the region belongs to international law, independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, approximately 30 line kilometers north-west of its capital Stepanakert.

The monastery was founded by Prince Hassan Dschalaljan in 1216. Gandsassar means in Armenian Schatzberg. In the monastery is the church of John the Baptist (Armenian Սուրբ Յովհաննու Մկրտիչ եկեղեցի, Surb Jowhannu Mkrtitsch jekeghezi ), which was built in 1216-1238. The monastery complex is protected by high walls.

From about 1400 to 1816 was Gandsassar seat of the Catholicos of Albania.

The monastery is situated in the western part of the chat 's Valley, where it is visible from a distance. This is not only due to the exposed position of the monastery, but also that it because of its color ( the monastery was built of red tuff, which has become red-brown over time ) stands out from the green background of the mountain forest.

The narthex has the shape of Gavit, whose outer walls are decorated with bas-reliefs outstanding, representing the crucifixion of Jesus, Adam and Eve, and two church officials who hold a model of the church as a gift to God above their heads. These reliefs are compared in their cultural and historical importance with those of Akdamar and counted the monastery of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Although the monastery damaged during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1991 and a building was destroyed, it is still in operation and seat of the Archbishop of the Diocese of Artsakh.