<p>Spitakavor monastery, south-eastern side
</p><p>Spitakavor Monastery is a 14th-century Armenian monastic complex, in Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia. The monastery is located on the slopes of Teksar mountain. 
</p><p>This monastery (also referred to as St. Astvatsatsin, Boloraberd monastery, Gyolvank) was started by Prince E'achi Proshian and after his death (1318) finished by his son Amir Hassan II in 1321. It is built of polished felsite stone, which gives it its name (“Spitak” means white in Armenian).
</p><p>Its main monument is the Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God (Spitakavor Church of Surp Astvatsatsin). The church, a domed hall type, boasts a cruciform interior and a square exterior. It is adorned with high relief sculptures in spiritual and secular themes that are among the most valuable patterns in medieval Armenian architecture. The tympanum carving depicts St. Mary with the Christ child in her lap. The church sculptures are attributed to the famous 13th century artist Momik.
</p><p>To the west lies the gavit (built between the years 1321 to 1330) with an almost square ground floor. Attached to the west wall, the three-storey belfry was built in 1330 for Hovhannes and his wife Tatch. The courtyard includes ruins of tombstones, monk cells and defensive walls dated to a later period.
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(source: <a class="external text" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitakavor_Monastery">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitakavor_Monastery</a>)
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/67769030@N07">Arian Zwegers</a> from Brussels, Belgium
CC BY 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/azwegers/35702296810/">Spitakavor monastery</a>