| Hayravank | |
|---|---|
 An aerial view of Hayravank Monastery on the shores ofLake Sevan. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Hayravank,Gegharkunik Province, Armenia |
  Shown within Armenia Show map of Armenia Hayravank Monastery (Gegharkunik) Show map of Gegharkunik | |
| Coordinates | 40°25′58″N45°06′28″E / 40.432728°N 45.107869°E /40.432728; 45.107869 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Cruciform central-plan |
| Style | Armenian |
| Completed | 9th-12th centuries |
| Domes | 1 dome above the church, 1 cupola above the gavit |
Hayravank (Armenian:Հայրավանք) is a 9th to 12th centuryArmenianmonastery located just northeast of the village ofHayravank along the southwest shores ofLake Sevan in theGegharkunik Province ofArmenia. The monastic complex consists of a church, chapel, andgavit.
Surrounding the monastery are numerouskhachkars and gravestones that are part of a small cemetery. To the northwest a short distance from the site, are the remains ofBronze Age through medieval fortification walls and foundations of a settlement. A polished black vessel of theEarly Bronze Age was discovered during archaeological excavations in the area. Weapons of metal and stone, tools, clay idols, numerous vessels, fireplaces and two tombs, all from theIron Age were discovered in the vicinity as well.
The church at Hayravank was built during the late 9th century. It is aquatrefoilcruciform central-plan structure with four semi-circularapses that intersect to createsquinches for theoctagonaldrum andconicaldome to stand above. A small chapel was added in the 10th century, accessed from the southeastern corner of the church. A single portal leads into the church from the gavit, it is believed that this entry was added between the 12th and 13th centuries. There is a second entrance through the church's exterior on its south side. Exterior walls of the structure differ from the construction of the rest of the complex in that rubble masonry has been incorporated into the façade. The original drum and dome had collapsed completely: their current rebuilt form dates from a restoration undertaken between 1977 and 1989.
The gavit is located west of and adjacent to the church and was added in the 12th century. A main portal leads into the structure from the western wall, and has an archedtympanum with a worn inscription located above thelintel. Another portal leads into the gavit from the southern wall. Two thick columns situated at the western half of the building and two semi-columns at the eastern wall support large arches and acupola above. The cupola consists of a short octagonal drum (only seen from the interior) as well as a short octagonal conical dome above decorated with "Harlequin Patterned" stonemasonry. The pattern alternates with reddish and a lighter grayish coloredtufa. This example is considered to be one of the earliest examples of polychrome decorative masonry that was to become widespread in the following centuries in sacred buildings throughout Armenia. An oculus at the peak of the dome lets light into the room below.
