Dzagavank’s Getargel monastery is a midcentury famous Armenian center. It is an architectural monument located to the east of the village Arinj (Kotayk district). The monastery’s main church - St.Nshan (7c.), is composed of the three-altar, small cruciform vaulted construction type. There are two small chapels close to the north and south of the church. To the east of St.Nshan church, there is a second church of the monastery, one composed of two-storys made with shaved brownish tuff in 13c., but the second storey wasn’t preserved.
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According to the legend, Arab invaders were intending to plunder the village and slaughterer the entire population. Once the villagers discovered this plan, they gathered in the monastery and asked God to save them. When the Arabs were approaching the monastery, the nearby tiny lake unexpectedly started overflowing and drowned the entire Arabic army. That is the reason the monastery carries the second name - Getargel.
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