Hnevank facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hnevank Հնեվանք
Hnevank before reconstruction.
Religion
Affiliation	Armenian Apostolic Church
Region	Lori
Location
Location	near Kurtan, Lori Province, Armenia
Architecture
Architectural style	Armenian
Completed	7th-12th century

Hnevank (pronounced Hneh-vank) is a very old monastery in Armenia. Its name means "Old Monastery" in Armenian. This special place was built a long, long time ago, between the 7th and 12th centuries. It belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is the national church of Armenia.

Where is Hnevank Located?

This ancient monastery is found near a village called Kurtan. It is in the Lori Province of Armenia. Hnevank sits on top of a hill inside a deep valley, also known as a gorge. It is located close to where two rivers, the Dzoraget and Gargar, meet.

Who Rebuilt Hnevank?

Hnevank was completely rebuilt by a powerful lord named Smbat. He was part of the Orbelian Dynasty, a famous family. His family had moved to Armenia from Georgia in the late 12th century. Smbat was an ancestor of the Armenian princes who ruled the Syunik area. You can still see his name written in Georgian language around the dome of the church.

What Does Hnevank Look Like?

The monastery complex includes the main church and a gavit. A gavit is a special kind of entrance hall often found in Armenian churches. There are also other smaller buildings scattered around the site. These buildings were used for different purposes by the monks who lived there.

Restoring the Monastery

The government of Armenia has been working to restore Hnevank. They have done a lot of work to bring it back to its original glory. For example, the dome of the main church had collapsed, but it has now been fully rebuilt. This helps preserve the monastery for future generations to see and learn from.

Gallery

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  Hnevank after reconstruction.

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External links

• Armeniapedia.org: Hnevank