---
title: Horomos Monastery
slug: horomos-monastery-be280
url: /detay/horomos-monastery-be280
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: Horomos Monastery
  type: article
  disambiguation: Explore Horomos Monastery, a 10th-century Armenian architectural marvel near Ani.  Discover its history & unique features.
  categories:
    - name: Architecture
      slug: mimari
      url: /kategori/mimari
    - name: Travel And Tourism
      slug: seyahat-ve-turizm
      url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm
    - name: Christianity
      slug: hristiyanlik
      url: /kategori/hristiyanlik
  tags:
    - Kars Province
    - Religious centre
    - Bagratid Kingdom
    - Horomos Monastery
    - Armenian Architecture
author: Melike Saraç
created_at: 2025-08-16T16:26:16.965933+03:00
updated_at: 2025-09-06T22:30:49.900299+03:00
---

# Horomos Monastery

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "Horomos Monastery" -->

## KURE Information Cards

![Horomos Manastırı.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/16/Tnk38U23qNLiclo4EMph7pi3xoGgIzek.jpg)
*Horomos Monastery*

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Date(s)(Text) | 10th Century (943–953 CE) |
| Material(s) | Cut Basalt and Tuff Stone |
| Founder(s) | King Abas (Bagratid Dynasty) |
| Structure(s) | Churches,Jamatun (monastic hall),Bell Tower,Chapels |
| Location | Kars,Türkiye |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "Horomos Monastery" -->

## Article Content

Horomos Monastery is an important religious and cultural structure dating back to the Bagratid Kingdom period, located 7 kilometres northeast of the [Ani Archaeological Site](/en/detay/ani-archaeological-site/llms.txt), just west of Arpaçay. It was built in the early 10th century AD during the reign of King Abas of the Bagratid Dynasty (943-953). The region is located within the borders of [Kars Province](/en/detay/van-province-644f5/llms.txt), and the monastery site is currently designated as a first-degree archaeological site and a military restricted area.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/08/16/PsuQe1Vk9CH0ejSQ9TmSYBqA72YVg7GN.png)
*Horomos Monastery (Culture Portal)*

### **History**

Horomos Monastery is considered one of the most important religious centres of the Bagratid Kingdom. Its construction began in the first half of the 10th century and was commissioned by [King Abas of Bagratid](/en/detay/horomos-manastiri-d6800/llms.txt). The monastery was planned as a larger and more functional complex than other churches and monasteries in the region. Throughout history, it has been used as a religious, cultural and political centre.

### **Architectural Features**

The monastery complex consists of two main groups of buildings. The lower group includes the Surp Menas Church, [St. George's Church](/en/detay/saint-george-church-24fd8/llms.txt) and a burial chapel, while further south, on the ridge of a hill, there is St. Jean's Church and the jamatun where the Bagratid kings are buried. The structures are built of neatly cut basalt and tuff stones. Horomos Monastery is one of the important examples of medieval Armenian architecture in the region, particularly with its bell tower, which has survived to the present day in a well-preserved state. The main building has a unique architectural character with its monastery example added to the narthex structure. Various cross motifs, reliefs of Jesus Christ, grapes and geometric motifs are used in the decorations on the interior and exterior facades. There are many Armenian inscriptions on the walls.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/08/16/81F750ooySy4U4FZDoZ5IbDlafFOWMSI.png)
*Horomos Monastery (Culture Portal)*

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "Horomos Monastery" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Korkusuz, Tolga. 2020. “Kars Horomos Monastery.” Türkiye Turizm Ansiklopedisi. Accessed August 16, 2025. https://turkiyeturizmansiklopedisi.com/kars-horomos-manastiri.Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism. “Horomos Monastery.” Culture Portal. Accessed August 16, 2025. https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/kars/gezilecekyer/horomos-manastiri-.