The Havuts Tar monastery complex is located on the territory of the "Khosrov Forest" state reserve, in a highland place. From here opens a spectacular view of the Azat River gorge, Garni and Goght villages. The monastery was founded in the 4th century and operated until the 18th century. It reached us in a destroyed state, but the preserved buildings, numerous lithographic materials provide rich information about the history of the monastery.

History

Although the monastery was founded in the 4th century, it's flowering period began at the beginning of the 11th century, during the reign of King Gagik I Bagratuni (989-1017), when Armenia was developing and experiencing a rise. That period coincides with the 1000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, on the occasion of which King Gagik and Queen Katramide initiated active church building. Following the king and queen, Prince Gevorg, the owner of Keghi fortress (Kakavaberd) nearby Havuts Tar, builds the Katoghike Church of Havutz Tar in 1002. The prince donated estates to the monastery, among which was the nearby village of Goght.

Holy Amenaprkich wooden cross

In 1013 King Gagik handed over the relic "Amenaprkich" ("All Savior") to the Prince Gevorg, which was given to the king by the Byzantine Emperor Basil(976-1025). Saint Amenaprkich is a carved wooden cross depicting the scene of Jesus Christ being taken down from the cross (now kept in the museum of Echmiadzin).
Thus, under the patronage of Prince Gevorg, the monastery began to prosper. In the following centuries, the monastery continued to develop and until the late Middle Ages was one of the famous monasteries of medieval Armenia, a prominent spiritual and cultural center.

In the 13th-15th centuries, the monastery was a famous writing center. Many valuable manuscripts were written here, most of which have survived to our days. The first manuscript known to us, written in Havuts Tar, is the Gospel of 1214, authored by the famous Armenian miniaturist Ignatius.

The Gospel of Catholicos' Mother

In the 13th century, the manuscript "Vehamor Avetaran" (Gospel of the Catholicos’ Mother) was kept in Havuts Tar, which is considered the oldest (VII century) complete Armenian manuscript.
According to tradition, all presidents of the Republic of Armenia take an oath during the inauguration ceremony, placing their right hand on the manuscript "Veamor Avetaran" and the Constitution of the country. Now it is kept in the museum of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran.


In 1679 The Havuts Tar monastery is suffered a lot by the powerful earthquake of Garni. The Katoghike Church and the narthex were destroyed and were never rebuilt. In their place in 1721 Catholicos Astvatsatur Hamadantsi (1715-1725) initiated the construction of a new church. Unfortunately, it remained unfinished due to the first invasion of the Lezghins. And as a result of the second Lezgin invasion (1755), the Havuts Tar Monastery was abandoned.

Architecture

The monastic complex of Havuts Tar consists of 3 separate groups of monuments: the main group of monuments, the Church of the Hill and the Chapel of Saint Karapet. Even in half-destroyed state, the monument impresses with its architecture and rich ornamentation. There are many khachkars in the territory of the monastery.

Main group of monuments

The main complex is surrounded by walls on 4 sides, and along the perimeter of the walls there are economic, residential and other buildings. In the center has been preserved the church founded by Catholicos Astvatatur Hamadantsi, but left unfinished and should have been a building with a central dome. The church has been preserved almost as it was in the 18th century. Stones and ornaments from the destroyed Katoghike church and the narthex were used in its construction.

Church of the Hill

About 100 meters from the main complex, on the top of the hill, is situated the 13th century Church Holy Mother of God or Church of the Hill. Externally, it has a checkerboard pattern of red and black tuff stones. On the northern facade there is a large inscription in Armenian, which is an excellent example of calligraphy.

Saint Karapet Chapel

St. Karapet Chapel is located 200m away from the main complex. It was built in 1213 and, like the other constructions, has reached us in a damaged state. There are khachkars and tombstones around the chapel.