Church of Zion
A domed cross plan.
Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0
Saghmosavank, meaning «monastery of the Psalms», is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex in the village of Saghmosavan. It stands on the edge of a steep gorge cut by the Kasagh River, its outline rising against mountains crowned by Mount Aragats, one of the finest settings of any Armenian monastery. Prince Vache Vachutyan erected the Church of Zion in 1215, and his son Kurt added the gathering hall in 1255. The style links it to nearby Hovhannavank, built by the same prince a few years later, so the two churches share much the same form. The church has a cross plan with a dome and two-floor annexes in its corners, and its interior is simple and strong. From the outer yard you can walk to the edge of the gorge to see the river far below with Aragats behind you, and old carved cross stones stand around the site. It is 3.4 km in a straight line from the Armenian Alphabet Monument and 4.6 km from Hovhannavank, so they fit a half day by car from Yerevan. It is a place of worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice down and ask before taking pictures inside. Take care near the gorge edge, as there are not barriers everywhere.
A domed cross plan.
The river far below.
Old carvings around the site.
Saghmosavan village, Aragatsotn Province
Saghmosavank means «monastery of the Psalms».
Yes. They are 4.6 km apart in a straight line on the same gorge.