Hakobavank Explained

Hakobavank
Native Name:
  • Հակոբավանք
  • Մեծառանից վանք
Native Name Lang:hy
Image Upright:1.375
Map Type:Azerbaijan
Map Size:300px
Coordinates:40.0156°N 46.6005°W
Religious Affiliation:Armenian Apostolic Church
Location:1.5 km from the village of Kolatak
Festivals:-->
Region:Kalbajar District
Country:Azerbaijan
Organizational Status:-->
Architecture Type:Monastery
Architecture Style:Armenian
Established:5th-7th centuries
Year Completed:11th-12th centuries
Date Destroyed:-->
Elevation Ft:-->

Hakobavank (Armenian: Հակոբավանք|translation=monastery of Hakob), also known as Metsaranits Monastery (Armenian: Մեծառանից վանք), is an Armenian monastery situated near the village of Kolatak in Azerbaijan.[1] [2]

History

Hakobavank was established in the 5th-7th centuries. It acquired its final form by the 11th-12th centuries. In the 14th century the monastery became the deaconry of the district of Mets Arank (genitive: Metsaranits). The complex is named after Jacob of Nisibis.[1]

There is no information about the date of foundation of the monastery. The oldest inscription, carved on the pedestal of a khachkar (cross-stone), refers to the year of 853. According to the historical chronicles, the monastery buildings were built, rebuilt and reconstructed periodically between the 9th and 18th centuries. One of the manuscripts kept in Matenadaran says that the Metsaranits Church was rebuilt by Khorinshah Zakarian.[3]

A renovation project of the monastery complex commenced in 2022.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hakobavank Revival. hakobavank.am. 4 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Hakobavank. savearmenianmonuments.com. 4 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Hakobavank Monastery, Kolatak, NKR. Natalia Ghukasyan. building.am. 4 November 2021.