Amazing things of amazing world

The Monastery of Tatev - Armenia !!
Tatev Monsatry (Tatev) is a masterpiece of
confluence of ingenious medieval
architecture and fabulous nature of
Armenia. There is no doubt, that Tatev is
one of the most spectacular tourist
attractions on the Planet. Tatev was also
widely regarded as one of the most famous
spiritual and educational centers of the
Middle Ages.
The Monastery of Tatev is
a 9th century Armenian monastery located
on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev
village in Syunik Province in southern
Armenia. It stands on a plateau on the edge
of the deep gorge of the Orotan (Vorotan)
River. It became the bishopric seat of
Syunik and played a significant role in the
history of the region as a centre for
economic, political, spiritual and cultural
activity.
In its day the monastery itself had a
population of 1,000 and owned 680
villages.  A vast wealth. It was a huge
center of learning, art and culture. The
Tondrakians, a medieval Armenian hippie
sect fought the church rule in widespread
revolt, including those in villages belonging
to Tatev, before finally being stamped out.
In 990AD, King Vasak even burned down
Tsuraberd village to end their revolt.
The Sts. Paul and Peter church was built
between 895 and 906. An arched hall was
added adjacent to the southern wall of the
Sts. Paul and Peter in 1043. Soon
afterwards, in 1087, the church of St. Mary
was added along the northern fortifications.
In 1295, the church of St. Gregory, which
had been destroyed during an earthquake,
was replaced with a new one through the
initiative of then Metropolitan Stepanos
Orbelian. In 1787, the mausoleum of St.
Grigor Tatevatsi was built adjacent to the
western wall of the St. Gregory Church and
in the end of 19th century a vestibule and
bellfry were added at the west entrance of
the Sts. Paul and Peter.
The monastery was seriously damaged after
an earthquake in 1931, the dome of the Sts.
Paul and Peter church and the bell tower
were destroyed. In the latter years the Sts.
Paul and Peter church was reconstructed,
but the bell tower remains destroyed up to
today.
Aside from the buildings, the monastery
boasts an upright pendulum, known as the
Gavazan (staff). This column was built in
the tenth century following the completion
of the Sts. Paul and Peter church and has
survived numerous invasions and
earthquakes relatively unscathed.
There is a lot to see at the Tatev Monastery,
from churches to tombs to khachkars (cross
stones) to medieval living quarters.
Undoubtedly, your trip will be full of
savory moments not to be forgotten.