Haghartsin 

     This monastic group of buildings, near the town of Dilijan includes three churches, two gavits (one is ruins), a refectory, a group of chapels and several khatchkars. The principal church Sourb Astvatsatin was built in 1281 as a cupola structure with a tall drum. The south entrance is crowned with decorative moldings. All the walls, except the west one, have two triangular niches on the outside. The most ancient of the group is the church of Saint Grigor (11th century) with its cupola on an octagonal drum. A second near-by gavit is rectangular in shape and built in the 12th century. The small church of Saint Stepanos (1244), of the cupola type, is an elegant structure with finely worked motifs. The refectory built in 1248 by the architect Minas, is one of the best representatives of medieval Armenian architecture: a structurally daring concept divided into a pair of communicating square halls, roofed with intersecting arches.

Goshavank

     Nor-Ghetik or Goshavank is an example of 12th-13th century architecture. It was founded by Mkhitar Gosh, a medieval Armenian ruler who was both scholar and politician. The earliest building is the Church of the Virgin (1191-1196). On the church’s western side is a large four-column gavit (1197-1203). The other church is St Gregory (1208-1241) near a small chapel named for St Gregory the Illuminator (1237) the portal and decorative arches of which exemplify the architect’s remarkable taste and decor. A 13th century book depository, its roof resting on criss-crossed arches, was later topped with a belfry (1291). A number of small chapels complete the site, surrounded by delicately carved khatchkars, works of the master Pavhos (13th century), one of which is displayed now in the State Museum of Armenian History.