Foreign diplomats visited the Gandzasar monastery complex - PHOTO - VIDEO

The visit of representatives of the diplomatic corps to Karabakh and East Zangezur continues.

As AZERTAC reports, the representatives of the diplomatic corps first visited the Ganjasar Monastery located in the Aghdara district. Sabina Hajiyeva, head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, briefed the diplomats about this historical and architectural monument and about the construction and restoration work being carried out on the territory.

It was noted that the main structures of this complex, known in scientific literature as the Khaznadag temple, were erected in the 13th century. The hill on the bank of the Khachinchay River, where the monastery is located, was considered a sacred place even before the adoption of Christianity. The Ganjasar Monastery was a religious and cultural center of Caucasian Albania.

The monastery complex consists of a church, a hall and auxiliary buildings. The complex is surrounded by fortress walls with two gates — on the southern and western sides. Cells and premises of auxiliary buildings adjoin the northern and southern walls. The foundations of the church located near the southern gate of the complex were laid in 1216–1238 by the Albanian prince Hasan Jalal. In the construction and architectural design of this valuable monument, a great influence of the Seljuks and, in particular, of the Ilkhanid dynasty is felt. Its majestic volumetric and spatial composition, rich and refined artistic decoration, as well as the exceptionally high quality of construction, testify to the economic power of the mighty Ilkhanid state.

Then the representatives of the diplomatic corps examined the monastery complex.