Vanevan

Vanevan monastery is situated in the eastern part of Artzvanist village.

Due to the construction notice the church of St. Grigor Illuminator was built by Armenian sparapet Shapuh Bagratuni and his sister Syunik princess Mariam. The church was built nearby a one-storeyed basilica, which had been standing there from early medieval. Sparapet also founded a fraternity, gave to Vanevan four villages and mills.

The church of St. Grigor Illuminator is made of rough basalt; arches and the dome were made of tufa.

In 914 in Vanevan was buried Armenian king Smbat I Bagratuni. In 980-s the monastery was repaired by the future king Gagik I Bagratuni, who also built the vestibule. In 1502 there was buried bishop Melikset. A huge khachkar was put on his grave.

In 1871-80 Teodoros Shirakaci abbot reconstructed the monastery buildings.