«SEVEN CHURCHES» MONASTERY

Askeran Province, c. Patara

8 km. north-west of the village of Badara, Askeran region, on the right bank of the river, on the slopes of a forested hill, sits a monastic complex consisting of three churches and dozens of other buildings. The main church is at the center of the complex, next the mausoleum. There is a small chapel to the southeast and another chapel to the north of the main church. Only one of the original four khachkars still stands in the mausoleum. It was commissioned by Prince Smbat in 1158, in memory of his son. Within the monastery and in the burial grounds nearby are numerous 12th and 13th century khachkars.