ceremonial items. On the north-western side of the monastery, a single nave and ridge-roofed church is located detached from the main church. Another building that hasn't survived used to be located next to it. Numerous dilapidated dwellings and auxiliary structures are scattered in the territory of the fortress such as a two-story building believed to be a residence for guards. There are traditional networks of tunnels, crypts, water reservoirs and wine cellars, found among most monasteries of medieval Armenia. Not far from the monastery one can find other medieval monuments such as the Holy Trinity monastery, Saint George church, a 13th-century spring monument, a 19th-century Russian chapel, a Greek church as well as various khachkars and chapels. Known residents Inscriptions from nearby khachkars point out that the monastery was headed by Petreh in the 1240s. The most prominent figure who resided at the monastery was the translator and scribe Simon of Pghndzahank. His diaries have survived. He was born in 1188 and was a clergyman for several years at the monastery translating Byzantine theological literature. He collaborated with another Armenian of Chalcedonian faith, Minas Syunakyats of Trabzon. In 1227 Simon compiled a volume of works by Gregory of Nyssa. His diary reads: Simon also translated into Armenian the Elements of Theology by Proclus Diadochos, The Fountain of Wisdom by John Damascene, The Ladder of Divine Ascent by John of Sinai, A History of Georgia (Kartlis Tskhovreba) and The Greek Prayer Book. Simon also noted in his diaries that he only translated works which previously had not been translated into Armenian. The prominent Armenian filmmaker of the 20th century Sergei Parajanov filmed two episodes of his film The Color of Pomegranates at the monastery. Gallery References Further reading Lidov A., Murals and the art of the Armenian Chalcedonites, "History of the Ancient and Medieval World" Akhtala, Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia, vol. 1, Yerevan, 1974 Melikset-Bek L., The Georgian Sources on Armenia and the Armenians, vol. 3, Yerevan, 1955 Jalalian A., Kotanjian N., Surp Astvatsatsin Monastery at Akhtala, "Christian Armenia" Encyclopedia, Yerevan, 2002 Durnovo L., A Brief History of Classical Armenian Painting, Yerevan, 1957 Durnovo L., An Outline of Medieval Armenian Art, Moscow, 1979 Bishop Kirion, Akhtala Monastery, Tbilisi, 2005 External links About Akhtala Monastery Christian monasteries in Armenia Tourist attractions in Lori Province Castles in Armenia Zakarids Christian monasteries established in the 10th century Oriental Orthodox congregations established in the 10th century