Monastery
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Noravank Monastery
Tucked away at the deep end of a dramatic, narrow gorge carved by the Amaghu River in Vayots Dzor Province, Noravank — meaning 'New Monastery' — is a 13th-century architectural masterpiece famed for its soaring two-story Surb Astvatsatsin Church and its striking red limestone cliff backdrop. Built under the patronage of the Orbelyan princes and bishop Stephanos Orbelian, Noravank is renowned for the extraordinary stone sculptures of master architect Momik, including the earliest known anthropomorphic stone depiction of God the Father. The monastery is rich in tragic folklore surrounding Momik's fatal love for a royal princess, spectral light visions inside the upper chapel, and disembodied footsteps on its cantilevered stone staircase.