Travel Armenia - Agobian Tours

14/08/2026

13th century Matosavank Monastery
The Hidden Medieval Gem

Deep inside the emerald forest of Dilijan National Park in northern Armenia stands Matosavank Monastery (Մաթոսավանք), a small but remarkable medieval Armenian monastery where stone, nature, and silence have existed together for almost eight centuries.

Today partly ruined and covered by moss and vegetation, Matosavank has become one of Armenia's most mystical and atmospheric heritage sites. Unlike Armenia's famous monasteries built on cliffs or open landscapes, Matosavank is almost concealed by nature, creating the feeling of discovering a forgotten medieval sanctuary.

The journey itself is part of the experience. Visitors walk through forest paths to reach the monastery, passing streams, trees, and the quiet wilderness of Dilijan.

▪️History and foundation:

The Monastery dates from the 13th century, during one of the most important periods of Armenian medieval architecture. The main church, Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), was built in 1247 by the Zakarian prince dynasty.

The Zakarians played a crucial role in Armenian history during the 12th–13th centuries. Under their leadership, many Armenian monasteries, churches, schools, and cultural centers were built or restored after the decline of Seljuk rule.

▪️Architecture:

Matosavank is modest in size compared with monasteries such as Haghartsin or Goshavank, but its architecture is unique.
The complex includes Surb Astvatsatsin Church, a book depository/library, Khachkars (cross-stones) and memorial stones.

▪️Decline and abandonment:

Over the centuries, political changes, invasions, and economic difficulties affected many Armenian monasteries. Matosavank gradually lost its monastic function and was eventually abandoned.

Today, parts of the complex are in ruins, with vegetation growing over the ancient stones. Rather than diminishing its beauty, this has created a unique atmosphere where medieval architecture and forest nature have merged together.

Matosavank represents a defining characteristic of Armenian heritage: the connection between Christian spirituality, mountain landscapes, and stone architecture. It is a reminder that Armenia's cultural treasures are not only the grand monasteries known worldwide, but also the hidden sanctuaries preserved quietly in forests for centuries.

11/08/2026

09/08/2026

Saint Bartholomew Armenian Monastery
Van, occupied Western Armenia

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, one of the 12 Apostles of Christ, traveled to Armenia during the 1st century AD to preach Christianity. He reached the region of Vaspurakan, where he converted many Armenians to Christianity. He later martyred near the site where the Monastery was built.

For Armenians, this made the Monastery one of the most sacred places in the world - a site connected directly to the Apostolic age. Together with Saint Thaddeus Monastery (Surb Tade) in northern Iran, it formed the two great apostolic pilgrimage centers of the Armenian Church.

▪️Medieval development & center of culture:

The Monastery expanded during medieval period, when Armenian architecture reached one of its greatest heights.

For centuries, Saint Bartholomew was not only a religious place but also a cultural center, where Monks copied manuscripts, preserved Armenian religious texts, taught theology, and welcomed pilgrims from across Vaspurakan.

Thousands of Armenians from Van, Bitlis, Mush, Sassoun, and surrounding regions visited the Monastery, especially during the feast of Saint Bartholomew. Families travelled for days on foot or by horse to pray at the apostle's tomb.

▪️During the Armenian Genocide (1915):

Before 1915, the Monastery was active, having regular mass and receiving Armenian pilgrims. During the Armenian Genocide, Ottoman authorities began massacres and mass deportations. The Monastery was abandoned, monastic life ended, and the surrounding Armenian populated cities were emptied.

In the following decades, it came under military control, the site became restricted, and thus gradually deteriorated. The Monastery suffered severe damage in 1968. The dome which was still standing in photographs from early 1960's, completely disappeared and the monastery structure was destroyed by explosives...

By the late 20th century, Saint Bartholomew Monastery had sadly become a ruin.

05/08/2026