Haghpat monastery is located in the Northern part of Armenia, Lori Marz, in the eponymous village, to the North-East of the city of Alaverdi. Scientists are still not able to accurately determine when it was founded the monastery of Haghpat. According to historical documents and artifacts, the temple was founded about the middle of the article X

The base of the Tashir-Dzoraget Kingdom Curtido in 979, and increased attention Apatu by various rulers of Armenia and their vassals contributed to the erection of a huge number of religious and civic buildings. For three centuries there were built several churches, chapels, bell towers, stacks, bridges, galleries and a multitude of residential and office buildings.

Surb Nshan Church with a nave is the oldest surviving building of the monastery of Haghpat. The Church was founded by Queen khosrovanush, wife of king Ashot III Bagratuni. It is anticipated that the construction of this Church was led by the architect Trdat. In the temple you can see the preserved fragments of painting of the first half of XIII century

The most interesting constructions of Haghpat are arches, representing monuments of medieval Armenian architecture. Here we had morning and evening Church service, and burial was well-known figures. Porch Surb Nshan has a fairly complex three-dimensional form. Originally the Church was a small vaulted gallery-tomb kings Curtido erected in 1185 In 1209 it expanded to the West.

The bell tower of Haghpat is considered the earliest example of this sort of constructions on the territory of Armenia. The bell tower has the appearance of a tall three-tiered tower with a small side chapels, located at different levels.

The high level of development of civil Armenian architecture of the XI-XIII century is evidenced by the stacks of Haghpat, built in the mid XI century, of Particular interest are also rare causes of the architectural composition of the building - the refectory for morning and evening services of the mid-XIII century

Situated on a high plateau among low land, Haghpat monastery stands out well on the background of the wooded slopes of Bazum ridge. The ensemble complement erected near a small Church.