MARMASHEN MONASTERY

Marmashen monastery, Shirak region
The Marmashen Monastery consists of three places of worship. The main temple is located in the center of the courtyard and is the largest building built by Prince Vahram Pahlavuni in 988-1029. The temple was built of red tuff and is a domed hall. The facade is cruciform, decorated with arched niches and narrow windows. The umbrella dome is mounted on a faceted drum. The large church is decorated with plastic decoration: arcade and beam columns and is distinguished by the vertical aspiration of architectural volumes.

To the south of the main buildings of the monastery stands a small cross-domed church of the 11th century with 4 chapels. To the west are the ruins of a four-pillar gavit of the 13th century, a four-apse round temple and a tomb. During the Seljuk invasion, Marmashen was significantly damaged. In 1225, restoration work was carried out in the church by the grandsons of Vahram Pahlavuni Archbishop Grigor and Garib.