Gtichavank Monastery is one of the medieval political and spiritual centers of Artsakh, founded in the 5th century, located near the village of Togh, the former residence of the Dizak meliks in the 17-19th centuries, on the northeastern slope of Mount Tokhasar or Chgnavor (mountain of the Hermit), among dense forests.
Known since the early Middle Ages, the epigraphic inscriptions preserved on the monuments confirm that the ancient buildings of the monastery were destroyed during the Arab rule in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 13th century by two brothers-bishops Ter-Sargis and Ter-Vrdanes.
Construction lasted seven years, from 1241 (the main church) to 1248. As a diocesan center, the monastery was under the auspices of the Aranshahiks, then, from the 8th century, under the patronage of the Dizak branch of the same family. The neighboring fortress of Ktish was the residence of Esai Abu-Muse in the 9th century.
In the 10th century, the fortress became the center of the Dizak kingdom founded here. In the 18th century, the territory of the monastery was expanded with the assistance of the Dizak melik Prince Avan (Yegan). The Gtichavank complex in terms of architecture is one of the most interesting monuments of centuries-old Armenian culture.
The monastery consists of the main church with an antechamber older than the church itself, and a second church adjoining the narthex from the north. The floor of the vestibule is covered with tombstones of the monastery’s priests and several meliks.
The slabs are decorated with beautiful and graceful ornamental lace and have inscriptions. In the western part of the complex, ruins of residential premises and defensive walls have been preserved.
Magnificent khachkars have been preserved on the territory of the complex, the oldest of which dates back to the 9th century, and the new one – the 19th, distinguished by masterful execution.
A second church adjoins the cathedral church and the narthex from the north. The church communicates with the narthex through the southern entrance. Thus, both churches have a common vestibule. Ornamented khachkars are inserted into the walls.
One of them is dated 1000. This indicates that on the site of the current church there was another built of stone.
The role played by the monastery in the cultural life of Artsakh is great. Being the main spiritual and educational center of Dizak for many centuries, the monastery remained so until the beginning of the 19th century.
Numerous valuable manuscripts created here have survived to this day, which, fortunately, were spared by inexorable time.
In terms of its architectural merits and exceptional role in the cultural life of Artsakh, the Gtichavank monastery is on a par with such masterpieces of Armenian architecture as Gandzasar and Amaras.
Since 2007, restoration work has been carried out in the monastery.
by Alexander Bakulin: vstrokax.net
