Haghartsin Monastery is situated in the northeastern part of Armenia, in the Tavush region, about a 1.5–2 hour drive from Yerevan.
Haghartsin Monastery is tucked deep in the forested mountains near Dilijan, surrounded by thick woods and misty hills. Even the road to the monastery feels like a scene from the Discovery Channel.
The monastery was founded in the 10th–13th centuries, under the patronage of the Bagratuni royal family.
The name Haghartsin (from “hagh” and “artsin”) is translated as “the play of the eagles.” According to a legend, people saw eagles soaring above the monastery’s cupola during construction and named it Haghartsin.
The complex consists of several churches, chapels, and auxiliary buildings. The main church, St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), was completed in 1281 and is the largest and most eye-catching structure in the complex, with its tall white stone walls and elegant dome.
Other notable buildings include St. Gregory Church, St. Stepanos Church, and a beautiful gavit (narthex) that once served as a space for gatherings, learning, and shelter.
Since monks lived in the monastery, they also built a refectory (dining hall) and a kitchen. They even baked traditional Armenian lavash in the monastery and stored wine in large clay jars buried underground.
In recent years, Haghartsin Monastery underwent restoration with the support of the ruler of the United Arab Emirates, and today it welcomes visitors with a clean path and restored domes.
Just a short drive from Dilijan, Haghartsin is not only a religious site, but also a peaceful escape from the busyness of everyday life.
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