Havuts Tar Monastery, also known as the Red Monastery or the Monastery of the All-Savior, is an ancient Armenian monastic complex founded in the 11th century and fully developed by the 13th century. It is located in the picturesque Kotayk region, east of the village of Garni, on the left bank of the Azat River, within the Khosrov State Reserve. From the side of the Garni temple and gorge, there are stunning views of the monastery.
According to ancient legend, the first foundations of the monastery were laid back in the 5th century by the great Armenian enlighteners Sahak Partev and Mesrop Mashtots. However, historical records confirm a large-scale reconstruction in 1013, initiated by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni—a prince, scholar, and renowned linguist of his time.
From the 13th to the 15th centuries, Havuts Tar became an important center of Armenian manuscript production, where numerous works were copied and created. Many of these manuscripts have survived to this day, including one of the oldest known complete Armenian Gospels—the Vejagor Gospel, dating back to around the 7th century. Today, this priceless treasure of Armenian spirituality is preserved in the Matenadaran, the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan.
The monastery complex includes:
- St. Karapet’s Church
- Surb Astvatsatsin Church
- The Resurrection Church with its bell tower
- Two chapels
- An old cemetery, surrounded on three sides by massive stone walls
In the past, the monastery also possessed lands, orchards, and small nearby settlements that helped sustain its life.
Havuts Tar is more than just an architectural site—it’s a place where Armenia’s spiritual and intellectual life once thrived, and where every stone still holds the imprint of time and faith. It’s a unique destination for those seeking history, silence, nature, and a true sense of eternity.
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