Tatev

The Monastery of Tatev (, ) is a 9th-century Armenian monastery is located in the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. The monastery always performed an important role in the history of the region, becoming its political, spiritual and cultural center.
==History==
According to tradition, the monastery was named after Eustateus, a disciple of St. Thaddeus the Apostle.
Tatev Monastery is located in South-East of Armenia, in the area of ancient Armenian Syunik, not far from city of Goris and 280km away from Yerevan. In his history Stepanos Orbelian relates that the first church in the Tatev complex was a modest chapel built in the 4th centurySee Tatev: Pilgrimage Guide.. Later it became the political center of Syunik principality. According to Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian, the founders of the monastery were Prince Ashot, his wife Shushan, Grigor Supan, the ruler of Gekharkunik, and Prince Dzagik. Their portraits are placed on the northern facade. In 10th century Tatev had a population of 1000 people and owned several villages. In the same century a school was founded at the monastery, where humanitarian sciences and manuscript illustration were taught. An important in development of humanitarian and art sciences in Tatev played Ovnan Vorotnitsi (1315-1388) and Grigor Tatevatsi (1346-1411). In 13th century the number of villages controlled became 680. In 14th-15th centuries Tatev became one of the most important centers of Armenian art and science.
On December 25, 1920 in Tatev Monastery a conference was organized, which announced the foundation of Independent Syunik State, the constitution was adopted, the State was divided into 6 regions – the Main Zangezur, Tatev canyon, Kapan, Gharabas canyon, Sisian, Genvaz. Gedeon Ter-Minasyan was elected government head, Garegin Njdeh was elected the sparapet or minister of military and the capital of the State became Goris.
The monastery was seriously damaged after an earthquake in 1931, the dome of the St. Paul and St. Peter church and the bell tower were destroyed. In the latter years the St. Paul and St. Peter church was reconstructed, but the bell tower remains destroyed up today.
==Buildings==
*The main architectural building – the St. Paul and St. Peter church, built in 895-906
*Church of St. Gregory, stands joined with the main construction to South part. Built in 1295 on the place of a more recent construction of 836-848.
*The over-gate church of Astvatsatsin (11th century).
*Gazavan – an eight-meter tall pendulous pillar, constructed in 904 in the yard part of the monastery. The pillar staggered as a result of earthquakes and also giving notice of the enemy army approaching.
== Gallery ==
Image:Tatev Monastery closeup.jpg|The main church
Image:Tatev monastery.jpg|The XIth century St. Mother of God church
Image:Tatev Monastery in its natural setting.jpg|Panorama of Tatev's natural setting
== References ==
== See also ==
* Tatevi Anapat, a nearby 17th century Armenian monastery in the Vorotan Valley gorge directly below Tatev
== Bibliography ==
==External links==
*Official website
*Article about Tatev Monastery on Armeniapedia
*3D Virtual Model of Tatev Monastery
Category:Cities, towns and villages in Armenia
Category:Christian monasteries in Armenia
Category:Visitor attractions in Armenia
Category:895 establishments
Category:Christian monasteries established in the 9th century
Category:Oriental Orthodox congregations established in the 9th century
az:Tatev məbədi
ca:Tatev
de:Kloster Tatev
es:Tatev
eo:Monaĥejo Tatev
fr:Tatev
hy:Տաթևի վանք
ka:ტათევი
pl:Tatew
ru:Татев
uk:Татев