Kapan (Armenian: Կապան); also known as Kafan, Zangezur and Madan, is the capital of the Syunik province (marz) at the south of Armenia. The city which forms an urban community (municipality) is located 316 km from the capital Yerevan. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT) reported its population was 45,488 in 2010, down from 45,711 at the 2001 census. Kapan is the most populous city in Syunik province and southern Armenia.
David Bek (Armenian: Դավիթ Բեկ) (?-1728) was an Armenian military commander and one of the most prominent military figures of the Armenian liberation movement of the 18th century against the forces of Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire. In 1722-25 with direct support from Mkhitar Sparapet and Avan Yuzbashi, he headed the armed struggle of Syunik (particularly from Kapan) and Artsakh Armenians against Safavid Iran. In 1726-28 Armenians under the leadership of Bek went to war with Turkish armies at Halidsor and had showed great military competence by defeating them easily.
Garegin Nzhdeh or Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan, Garegin Njdeh (Armenian: Գարեգին Նժդեհ) (1 January 1886, Nakhijevan – 21 December 1955, Vladimir, Soviet Union) was an Armenian statesman, fedayee, political thinker, and, as a member of the A.R.F. Dashnaktsutyun party, was involved in revolutionary activities in Armenia, Bulgaria and Russia, and, as a member of the "Armenian Legion", the armed forces of Nazi Germany.
Vahanavank (Armenian: Վահանավանք) is a 10th-11th century monastic complex located approximately 5 kilometers southwest of the town of Kapan in the Syunik Province of Armenia, situated at the foot of Tigranasar mountain along the right bank of the Voghdji River.
The monastery was founded by Prince Vahan Nakhashinogh (of which it gets its namesake), the son of Prince Gagik of Kapan in the early 10th century. The Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian (c. 1250 – 1305) wrote that the prince had taken on a monk's robe and lifestyle to cure himself of demonic possession. In the year 911, Prince Vahan gathered 100 like-minded clerics and built the church of Surb Grigor Lusavorich. It is the oldest among the structures at Vahanavank. The church is a domed hall like building with a main temple and a pair of sacristies. The drum rises on huge steeple rocks. The church has a west and south entrance. Prince Vahan was buried near the door to the church.
A spiritual school was opened at the monastery where young boys from Baghk and other provinces studied. Prince Vahan Nakhashinogh's nephew Vahan Jevanshir II, was educated at the monastery and rose to become the Bishop of Syunik around 940 and then Catholicos around the year 960. During his reign he built many great monuments, many of which remain in ruins.
The vestibule and portico first half of the 10th century. The latter stretches to the south of the church and the narthex. Kings and princes of Syunik are buried here. The cornices of the vestibule are decorated with vegetal and animal ornamental motives which border the southern and northern walls.
Vahanavank became the religious center for the kings of Syunik in the 11th century. In 1086, Queen Shahandukht II of Syunik and her sister Katan built the church of Surb Astvatsatsin as a burial site for her and her relatives. They also constructed the southern entrance to the monastery as well as the vestibule to S. Astvatsatsin.
There are other structures, household buildings, khachkars and tombstones that date back to the 10th –11th centuries as well.
In 1978 restoration efforts began at the monastery and in 1990 they ended before their completion.
The Monastery of Tatev (Armenian: Տաթև) is a 9th century Armenian monastery located in the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. It stands on a plateau on the edge of the deep gorge of the Orotan (Vorotan) River. It became the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the region as a centre for economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity.
In the 14th and 15th centuries Tatev Monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities which contributed to the education of science, religion and philosophy; reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. Scholars of Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history.
