Tegher Monastery: A Medieval Armenian Sanctuary

Tegher Monastery, also known as Tegheri Vank, is a remarkable example of 13th-century Armenian architecture located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Aragats, near the village of Tegher. The monastery was commissioned by Princess Mamakhatun, the wife of Prince Vache I Vachutian, who ruled the Ararat province. The architect Vardapet Aghbayrik, also known for his work on Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank monasteries, designed the complex. The monastery's main structure is the Church of the Virgin Mary (Surb Astvatsatsin), built in 1213, distinguished by its dark gray basalt stone construction and cruciform plan. Unlike many Armenian churches, Tegher Monastery features minimal ornamentation, lending it a stricter, more austere appearance. The spacious narthex, added eight years after the church, is larger than the church itself, an unusual design choice for the period. Two small domed chapels atop the narthex's northeast and northwest corners create a unique three-domed silhouette. Princess Mamakhatun is buried within the narthex. In ancient times, the village of Tegher was known as Degher, named for the medicinal herbs that grew in the area. A building near the monastery served as a hospital (Dghratun) where Armenian soldiers were treated. The monastery complex was once enclosed by fortress walls for defensive purposes. The site offers panoramic views of the Ararat Valley and the Byurakan Observatory. Today, Tegher Monastery is under the care of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with services, baptisms, and weddings still performed there.