Harichavank Monastery is located in the Shirak region of Armenia, about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive from Yerevan.
The name Harich is thought to mean “fortress,” so Harichavank translates to “fortress monastery.” However, according to the Armenian linguist H. Acharyan, Harich might also mean “village.” It’s also the name of the village where the monastery complex is located.
The monastery is a truly exquisite complex, beautifully set along the edge of a gorge.
The construction of the monastery began in the 7th century and was completed in the 13th century. Over the course of eight centuries, it was repeatedly reconstructed and expanded.
It is believed that in the 2nd century BC, there was a settlement and a fortress in this area, which is where the village is thought to have gotten its name.
According to tradition, a small part of Harichavank was founded by Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of the Armenian Church. Harichavank Monastery features a cruciform base and is distinguished by triple columns and an umbrella-shaped dome—a unique architectural detail that sets it apart from many other Armenian monasteries.
The main cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, was reconstructed in 1191. It was later restored in 1201 by the Armenian nobleman and military commander Zakare Zakaryan and his brother Ivane Zakaryan.
The Harichavank Monastery is also known for its school and scriptorium. It is worth mentioning that the school had been functioning since the monastery’s foundation in the 7th century, and the scriptorium once housed unique Armenian manuscripts and artworks.
Notably, a handwritten page from the Holy Bible was discovered—dating back to 1209—and was apparently copied by a scriptor living in the monastery. The documents and illustrations found in the scriptorium were mostly centered on biblical themes and topics. Today, most of these manuscripts are preserved in the Matenadaran, the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan.
Later, the village of Harich became a summer residence for the Catholicos. At the beginning of the 19th century, a new phase of construction began at Harichavank Monastery. New additions included a kitchen and bakery, a new school, and monk cells to accommodate visiting monks. The gardens and surrounding park areas were also restored, and a belfry was added in 1886.
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