One of the most impor­tant mon­u­ments of medieval Arme­nia, found­ed in the 10th cen­tu­ry. It, along with Hagh­pat, is list­ed as a UNESCO World Her­itage Site. The com­plex was not only a reli­gious cen­ter but also a major edu­ca­tion­al and cul­tur­al cen­ter: it housed an acad­e­my, a library, and a scrip­to­ri­um where books were copied.