Bell Tower

The bell tower of Haghpat Monastery is one of the most renowned monuments of medieval Armenian architecture and, with its exceptional appearance, serves as a hallmark of Armenian architecture. It is built on an elevated site in the eastern part of the monastic complex and holds a dominant position over all other structures.

Its construction was initiated in 1245 by the abbot of the monastery, Archbishop Hamazasp, with the assistance of numerous benefactors.

It is a three-story quadrangular structure, crowned by a column-adorned rotunda (dome). It stands 25 meters high, with a base measuring 9.3 by 9.3 meters. The only entrance is on the western side.

In the past, the three floors served as a church. Altars are placed inside the sacristies (vestries) located there. On the first floor, there are two sacristies in the corners opposite the entrance. On the second floor, there is one more next to the staircase. On the third floor, one sacristy is built in each of the four corners.

The bells were hung inside the rotunda, which rests on seven columns, and were audible throughout the monastery and its surroundings. Even today, at designated times, the bells continue to ring out their divine melodies, and those who hear them pause for a moment to fully immerse themselves in the sound.

The walls of the bell tower feature intricate ornaments, crosses, and Armenian inscriptions of high artistic value. One of them, located above the entrance, is an inscription detailing the construction. In the surrounding area, there are tombstones and khachkars (cross-stones). Opposite the entrance lies the grave of the renowned medieval Armenian scholar, Hovhannes Imastaser (the Philosopher).