Seven Churches - Varagavank Monastery Situated on the slopes of Mount Erek, approximately 9 kilometers southeast of the Van city center, stands the historic Seven Churches Monastery, also referred to as Varagavank Monastery in Armenian tradition. This monastery was established in the early 11th century by Senekerim-Hovhannes Artsruni, the Armenian monarch of Vaspurakan, on a site that had long been considered sacred. Originally functioning as the burial ground for the Artsruni dynasty, it later evolved into a major archbishopric. It is regarded as one of the most prominent and expansive monastic centers in historic Armenia. The monastery complex consists of seven distinct churches: the Church of St. Sofia, Church of St. John, Church of the Holy Mother of God, Zhamatun of St. George, Chapel of the Holy Seal, Church of the Holy Cross, and Church of St. Sion. Additionally, it features a jamatun (a monastic hall), a library, and a bell tower. The oldest surviving structure within the complex is the Church of Saint Sophia, originally built in the 8th century, though only fragments remain today. Located next to its northern wall is the Church of Saint John, now largely in a ruined state. The principal building of the monastery is the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, constructed between 1003 and 1021. The exterior of the church is rectangular and oriented east to west, while the interior is segmented into four chambers, one in each corner. Distinguished by its flat walls and semi-circular niches, the church's dome has unfortunately not withstood the passage of time. For any further information or inquiries about the Seven Churches – Varagavank Monastery, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or send us a message on WhatsApp. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.