Kobayr

Confession: Armenian Apostolic Church
Foundation date: 1171
Status: Active monastery
Condition: Good
From Yerevan: 166km / 2h 20min.

Kobayr Monastery is one of the greatest monuments of Armenian architecture of the developed Middle Ages. The history of the monastery is closely related to the Kyurikyan branch of Armenian feudal dynasty Bagratuni, famous in the Middle Ages, and pro-Georgian representatives of Zakaryan dynasty. In written testimony Kobayr is noted to be established and glorified in the 13th century already. The name of the monastery derives from word “ayr” (“rock” translated into English) /Georgian word “qob”/.

Due to the harmonious combination of the monuments and picturesque nature of the deep rocky gorge the panorama of the monastery becomes incredibly impressive. There is a steep cliff on the East of the monuments; the waterfall jets from the cliff complement the inspiring landscape with the monotonous melody.

The complex is significant for its architectural monuments, high level of stone machining and polishing, fresco, which is the crown of Armenian medieval monumental painting. The complex was one of the most important educational and cultural centers of the Middle Ages, which is closely related to the activity of the outstanding historian David Kobayretsi. Most of the Armenian and Georgian inscriptions on the walls show the chronology of the construction of the monuments, social-economic situation in medieval Armenia and other problems. The complex is significant from the point of Armenian-Georgian relations, religious requirements in the construction of spiritual buildings.

In the second half of the 12th century Kobayr was passed from Kyurikyans to Zakaryans, turning from a Monophysite establishment into an Orthodox one (Georgian). Exactly this explains the presence of evidences in Georgian on some of the monuments, as well as Georgian style element.

Only part of the monuments looks more or less holistic. Only walls (full height or partially) are preserved in vast majority of the monuments. In Kobayr amirspalasar Zakare’s son Shahnshah is buried, his sons George and Mkhrgrdzel, as well as outstanding spiritual and public figures.

The popular Hnevank is in the same region.