Haghpat Monastery Complex

 Haghpat Monaster was built between the 10th and 13th centuries.  It was founded by the wife of a Bagratid King Ashot III in 976. (Thanks Wikipedia).

There is a cathedral, a church, a free-standing bell-tower (with 2 bells), a library - and others. I also learned about a gavit - similar to a narthex but often much larger.  An area just inside the entrance but distinct from the church itself.  In Armenia, the gavit can be larger than the church, and can be used for burials.

We were told to walk freely over tombstones.  It means the dead are helping us, by providing a place to walk.  Oh well!

Haghpat is one of the icons of Armenia, and we saw various other tour groups  French, Korean  and others.

Gavit outside a church at Haghpat Monastery Complex.

 

Other pics at Haghpat

 

Two cross-stones - or khachkar - memorial stones - for the soul of a living or deceased person, or for for an event, such a a military victory.  (Thanks Wikipedia) 

And the belfry - and bells.