Faith / Monastery
Beşkilise (Khtzkonk Monastery)
Digor, Kars
The remains of an Armenian monastic complex near Digor, built on three rocky outcrops in a deep valley carved by the Digor Stream.
Safety warning
Its story
The monastery, about 25 km southwest of Ani, takes its name (beş kilise means 'five churches') from the five domed churches that once stood here: St. Karapet, the Virgin Mary, St. Stephen, St. Gregory and St. Sargis. The buildings are accepted to have been built between the 7th and 13th centuries; there are no inscriptions about their founding. Abandoned after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, the monastery was repaired and reopened for worship when the region came under Russian rule in 1878. Of the churches that looked intact in photographs taken in 1920, four had already been destroyed by 1959; today only the damaged Church of St. Sargis and the foundation and wall remains of the others can be seen. The view of the valley and the gravestones around it make the site impressive.
Key facts
- Period
- 7th-13th century
- Admission
- Free, open area
- Condition
- Ruins; only the Church of St. Sargis partly standing
- Getting there
- By road from Digor and a walk down into the valley
Trip purpose
- Free
- Photography
- Quiet
- Hiking
Location
40.38056, 43.37639
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be%C5%9Fkilise | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khtzkonk_Monastery | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2626115 | https://kulturenvanteri.com/?p=3408