AKHTALA MONASTERY

#Akhtala  is a 10th-century  monastery, is located in the village of Akhtala, Lori province, RA. Akhtala was known as Akhdala, Akhtala and Pghindzavank – meaning  Coppermine Monastery.The architecture of the church is an interesting combination of the Armenian and Georgian and Byzantine styles.The monastic complex is a Chalcedonian monastery. Akhtala monastery every year has #pilgrimage days, which is celebrated on September 20-21. The famous fortress of Akhtala was also built in the medieval period, at the end of the 10th century by the Kyurik princes.The fortress is constructed on a plateau resembling a peninsula surrounded with deep gorges from three sides.The fortress is strengthened with huge ramparts and there are two pyramid-shaped watchtowers rising above from both sides of the main entrance. The monastery of Akhtala comprised of three churches is in the territory of the fortress. The main feature of the church is its frescoes, over 800-year-old frescoes are preserved here which were painted in  1205-1216. One of the main features of the frescoes of  Akhtala monastery  is the bright colors. It is said that the frescos were so colorful and during the liturgy  it distracted the people visiting the monastery. As a result, the abbot ordered the walls to be covered with lime.

P.S. Some scenes from # SergeyParajanov’s film “The Color of Pomegranates” were shot in the Akhtala monastery complex.