SAINT JOHN MONASTERY (HOVANNAVANK)

Rising in the centre of a vast enclosure with rounded towers (late 12th century), the monastery of Hovannavank (Saint John) leans against the canyon of the Kazakh River, from which one has a plunging and almost dizzying view. According to legend, the monastic complex, which was founded in the 4th century and consists of two churches with their chevet rising steeply over the canyon, a jamatoun or narthex and an annex building, dates in its present form from the 13th century, when the local lords, the Vatchutians, contributed to the flourishing of the arts in the region. The complex has been restored many times and suffered greatly from the earthquakes of 1679 and 1918, especially the main church, Katoghiké, whose side façade was recently raised. Also perfectly restored, the narthex that precedes the church, topped by a large rotunda with 12 openwork columns, is particularly interesting with its facades alternating black and ochre stones. The main facade is enriched with an original sculpted decoration, with its wide portal decorated with a sort of stone mosaic or marquetry and topped by a large geminated bay at the heart of the facade. It is crossed by an elegant arcature that prefers three-lobed or five-lobed arches to the traditional semicircular arches, which gives an almost Italian look to the whole.
Outside the monastery enclosure, a curious stele, a bundle of four small columns topped by a capital, dating from the 13th or 14th century, can be seen.