The monastery was founded in 976 by queen
Khosrovanuysh who is known as a major patron of architecture and religion. Her foundations helped shape Armenia’s intellectual and religious life for centuries, showing her influence as one of the notable royal women of the
Bagratid period. The nearby monastery at
Sanahin was built around the same time in the same location.
Construction The Cathedral of Surb Nshan The construction of the largest church in the complex, the
Cathedral of Surb Nshan, is estimated to have begun around 967–976 by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of
Ashot III, and completed in 991 by King
Smbat II. This monastery is an example of tenth-century Armenian architecture, due to its central
dome resting on four large
pillars of the lateral walls. The outside walls are dotted with triangular
recesses. A
fresco in the
apse depicts
Christ Pantocrator. Its donor, the Armenian
Prince Khutulukhaga, is depicted in the south
transept (a transversal
nave intersecting the main nave). Apart from two minor restorations carried out in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the church has retained its original character.
Other surrounding structures The small domed Church of
Sourb Grigor (St. Gregory) was constructed in 1005. Two side chapels were added to the original church; the larger one built in the beginning of the 13th century and the smaller, known as "Hamazasp House", built in 1257. In 1245, a three-story tall free-standing
bell tower was constructed. Other 13th-century additions include the chapel of Sourb Astvatsatsin, a library and
scriptorium (later converted into a storeroom), and a large
refectory (which is outside monastery limits). There are also a number of
khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries standing in monastery grounds, best known among them is the "Amenaprkich" (All-Savior) khachkar which has been standing since 1273. led a large force of Georgians and Armenians to support the much smaller force of Mongol troops of
Hulegu in the
Siege of Mayyafariqin, which was defended by
Ayyubid ruler
Al-Kamil Muhammad. The Armenian Prince Sevata of Kachen was killed in the conflict. When the city was captured after two years of siege, the Muslims were massacred, but the Christians were spared.
Survival throughout history The monastery has been damaged many times. Sometime around 1130, an
earthquake destroyed parts of Haghpat Monastery, and it was not restored until fifty years later. The monastery also suffered numerous attacks by armed forces in the centuries of its existence, and was damaged by another major earthquake in 1988. Nevertheless, much of the complex is still intact and stands today without substantial alterations. File:Mural representing Khutlubuga. Church of the Holy Sign. Haghpat Monastery, southern wall. Late 13th century. (color).jpg|Mural representing
Khutlubuga. Church of the Holy Sign. Haghpat Monastery, southern wall. Late 13th century. File:Deesis. Church of the Holy Sign. Haghpat Monasery.Wall painting in the semi-dome. Early 13th century.jpg|
Deesis. Church of the Holy Sign. Haghpat Monastery. Wall painting in the semi-dome. Early 13th century. File:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 28-30 HDR.jpg|Church interior, nave and altar File:Monasterio de Haghpat, Armenia, 2016-09-30, DD 06.jpg|Library and scriptorium (storage jars were later inserted into the floor) File:Hakhpat-gp-ares1-l.jpg|Plan of Haghpat == Architecture and Symbolism ==