Akhpati Monastery

Akhpati Monastery is located in the village of Akhpati, Lore province, in the Republic of Armenia.

The complex was built in the 10th-13th centuries. It is surrounded by a wall. Of the buildings that have survived to our time, the following are noteworthy: the main church of Nshan (967-991), which is decorated with sculptural images of the founders on the outside, and the walls are painted inside (13th-14th centuries); the church of St. Gregory (1005; rebuilt in 1211) and the small domed church (12th-13th centuries); the chapels - large (rebuilt in 1209), roofed with cross vaults, and Amazaspi (1257) - the largest four-column chapel; the refectory (13th century); the library (third quarter of the 13th century); the bell tower (1245). Outside the walls stand several chapels and khachkars.

The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrowanuysh, wife of Ashot III Bagrationi, probably in 976. The nearby monastery of Sanahin was built around the same time.

The largest church in the complex, the Surb Nshan Cathedral, was probably begun in 967–976 by Queen Khosrowanuysh, wife of Ashot III, and completed in 991 by King Smbat. It is a typical example of 10th-century Armenian architecture, with its central dome resting on four impressive columns in the side walls. The outer walls are decorated with triangular recesses. The apse depicts Christ Pantocrator. The south wall depicts Khutlubugha Artsrun, son of the Georgian atabag Sadun Mankaberdeli. The sons of the church's founder, Princes Smbat and Kvirike, along with Queen Khosravanushki, are depicted on the outer wall of the church.