Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery

Why it mattersKey Armenian Zakarian princes & later Armenian Catholicos summer seat 1850–1932 temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

7th c. early chapel; 1201 Surb Astvatsatsin Zakarian

Period

Medieval (7th c. early; Surb Astvatsatsin 1201 Zakarian)

Culture

Armenian Zakarian princes & later Armenian Catholicos summer seat 1850–1932

Purpose

Shirak's large fortified monastery with 1850 Catholicos palace (30 cells) — later Armenian Catholicos seat 1850, on plateau edge with double walls

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1988

Excavation

Partially excavated

1. 7th c. early chapel; 1201 Surb Astvatsatsin Zakarian

   Initial construction / first occupation at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery

2. c. 1200 CE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery

3. 1970 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery

• Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — Principal Temple

  temple

  temple at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — subsidiary complex

  40.6049° N · 43.9988° E

• Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — Altar Annex 2

  altar

  altar at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — primary structure

  40.6076° N · 44.0007° E

• Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — Southern Shrine

  shrine

  shrine at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — hydraulic feature

  40.6050° N · 43.9982° E

• Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — Eastern Temple

  temple

  temple at Harichavank Monastery — Shirak Plateau Forte Monastery — hydraulic feature

  40.6058° N · 43.9979° E