Marmashen

Confession: Armenian Apostolic Church
Foundation date: X c.
Status: Inactive monastery
Condition: Good
From Yerevan: 134 km / 2 h 25 min

Monastery Marmashen is located in the South-Western part of Varamaberd village of Akhuryan region, on the left bank of the Akhuryan River. The complex was a prominent religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia; it had a huge depository of manuscripts, a school.

The monastery consists of three structures: the main – Katoghike and two small churches. Armenian national architectural forms lie on the base of this monument. According to the cuneiforms, the main church was built by patriot duke Vahram Pahlavuni in 988-1029. The interior and exterior are done with reddish treated tufa, and the fundamental parts are built of basalt. The church is central-domed; it is based on the decorated columns, which are linked one to another by not less exquisite arches. There are lots of inscriptions on the walls; sun watches are depicted on the Southern wall. Vahram Pahlavuni’s crypt with a grave inscription is located in the parish. Despite the number of earthquakes, the construction was preserved quite well; only the Northern wall is destroyed.

The monastery was largely damaged during Seljuk invasions, though in 1225 Vahram Pahlavuni’s grandsons archbishop Grigor and his brother Gharib, renovated Katoghike.

Another, also central-domed church of the 11th century is situated on the Southern part of Marmashen; today it is in dilapidated state. In the Northern part of the main church, in half-kilometer distance, nonfunctioning church of the 7th century is located.

There are cave settlements and crypts on the territory. 2 km of Marmashen, on a natural cliff Urartian (Urartu was an Armenian kingdom) king Argishti A’s inscription on his victories in Shirak region is still preserved. The ruins of Marmashen fortress are here as well.