In the picturesque valley of the village of Bjni (Kotayk region of Armenia) rises the majestic monastery complex Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Bjni, or the Church of the Holy Virgin – one of the outstanding monuments of Armenian medieval architecture.
The foundation of the monastery dates from 1031. By order of Tsar Hovhannes Smbat and Catholicos Petros I Getadardz, the construction of the main church was entrusted to Prince and enlightener Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni. It was assumed that the monastery would become the residence of the bishop of the region.
After the liberation of Bjni from the Seljuks in 1201, Prince Vaan carried out restoration work in the monastery, completed in 1209. And in 1211, the rector Vrtanes erected secular buildings of the complex. Later, in 1272, a vaulted chapel was added to the south side of the temple, in which one of the unique khachkars was installed – carved stone crosses, located in the eastern niche.
Many khachkars created by masters of their time have been preserved on the territory of the monastery. Among them are two outstanding works of the famous carver Melixet. During the invasion of Tamerlane, the monastery was badly damaged: the building was partially destroyed, and its rector Vanakan Vardapet died right in the temple.
The monastery is also mentioned in European sources. In 1637, the French traveler Chardin spent the night here, leaving a description of the complex in his travel notes. Decades later, in 1700, the naturalist Pitton de Tournefort visited the church, also mentioning it in his writings.
Above the eastern part of the village, at the top of the hill, rises the church of St. Sargis (VII century), laid out of smoothly hewn tuff. This compact dome church is one of the earliest buildings in the region.
On a high plateau above the village of Bjni in the X-XI centuries, the princes of Pahlavuni built a powerful fortress, which for a long time defended strategic paths. It was surrounded by rocks and stone walls with towers. Inside, the remains of buildings are still preserved, as well as the Surb Astvatsatsin temple, erected by the father of Grigor Magistros – Vasak Pahlavuni.
Of particular interest are the stone shelves built into the walls of the church at a height of about 5 meters. According to historians, it was there that manuscripts created in the scriptorium of Bjni could be stored.
There is a beautiful legend about a secret underground tunnel connecting the monastery with the fortress. According to stories, the path was so wide that carts with provisions and water delivered to the besieged passed through it. During archaeological work, only a small fragment of the underground passage was discovered, and scientists still argue whether it really existed or whether it is a poetic myth about the resilience of the defenders of Bjni.
Comment (0)