| Tegher Monastery Տեղերի Վանք | |
|---|---|
 The Monastery of Tegher. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| Location | |
| Location | Near the modern village ofTegher and across the gorge fromByurakan,Aragatsotn Province, Armenia |
  Shown within Armenia Show map of Armenia Tegher Monastery (Aragatsotn) Show map of Aragatsotn | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°20′42″N44°14′26″E / 40.345092°N 44.240544°E /40.345092; 44.240544 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Vardapet Aghbayrik |
| Style | Armenian |
| Completed | 13th century |
Tegher Monastery (Armenian:Տեղեր or Տեղերի Վանք; alsoTegheri Vank) is an early 13th-century Armenian monastery and church located on the southeastern slopes ofMount Aragats near the modern village ofTegher, and across thegorge from the village ofByurakan in theAragatsotn Province ofArmenia. It was built for Princess Khatun (also known as Mamakhatun), the wife of PrinceVache I Vachutian who had purchased the district of Aragatzotn from theZakarian brothers.[1] The architectVardapet Aghbayrik designed Tegher and the monasteries ofSaghmosavank andHovhannavank during the 13th century. The monastery survived intact during a time whenMongol invasions plagued the lands.
Ruins of the 9th century village of Tegher (Old Tegher) sit a short-distance walk from the monastery. Numerous foundations may be seen, along with the remains of a Tukh Manuk funerary chapel of the 5th century. Nearby is also the medieval to 19th century cemetery with somemausoleums andkhachkars.
The church of Surb Astvatsatsin was built in 1213, and is constructed from dark graybasalt. It is acruciform type plan with a chamber in each of the four corners and a semicircularapse at the end of the hall. A central tall rounddrum rests above with a tent styledome, supported by the corners of the square which is supported bycolumns below. The roof of the church isgabled. The structure is simply decorated except for thecornice moldings and accentuation of thearches in the main area. From the exterior, the building is rectangular with two wallniches and windows on the north, east, and south.
Thegavit adjacent to S. Astvatsatsin was finished in 1221. It is a large central-plan with four large columns. Intersecting arches support the square on which a dome with anoculus sits. Situated towards the front of the gavit at either corner, are two second-story rooms where students of the monastery once lived and were able to escape persecution from potential invading forces. Above these rooms are towers that are similar in construction to the main dome and drum of the church. On one of the columns of the gavit is an inscription that gives credit to the architect Vardapet Aghbayrik for designing S. Astvatsatsin and its gavit. In this same structure are numerous graves, one of which is the noble Princess Khatun and another is her husband PrinceVatcheh Vatchutian. Just outside the gavit, upon the front façade above the portal are a grouping of cross designs carved into the stone. Each is a memorial to a wealthy donor who supported the construction of the monastery, and is thus given "free passage" to heaven.
