Sanahin Monastery

The name Sanahin literally translates as "this one is older than that one", presumably representing a claim to having an older monastery than neighboring Haghpat. Sanahin was a major monastery in the region in the 12th-13th cc, known as a school of illuminators and calligraphers, as well as a college of religion, philosophy and science. 

Monastery Complex
Sanahin Monastery is packed with ancient graves, darkened chapels and medieval study halls. The inner sanctum of the cross-shaped Surp Astvatsatsin Church (Holy Mother of God Church) is the oldest structure, dating back to 934. Its adjoining gavit is one of the later buildings, built in 1181. In its heyday, the monastery was renowned for its medical school.
The book depository and gallery is one of the most interesting buildings at Sanahin, showing a high level of civil architecture at the time. As a rule such structures were built away from the main churches, were square and had niches for keeping manuscripts, with special attention paid to the design of the roof. 
At the southeastern corner of the library is a small church dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator. The 11th-century Academy of Gregory Magistros is located between the two main churches. The cemetery, located to the southeast of the main buildings, contains a 12th-century mausoleum housing the Zakarian princes.

History
The monastery was subject to attacks from Seljuk Turks, who decimated the Bagratunis of Ani in 1064, harassing the area until the Orbeli kings of Georgia established rule and promoted the Kiurikians and Zakarians as new overlords, it becoming their particular patronage in the 12th- 13th c., receiving enormous amounts of income from the trade that coursed down the Debed River, a primary trade route from Asia to the Levant and Iran.    
The Mongol invasion of 1235 destroyed Lori Berd and the nearby Akner fortress, meant to protect the monasteries, and captured Sanahin. Its decline was steady, as the Mongols were followed by Timur, the Safavids and the Ottomans, ending with the division of Armenia in 1578.

The Sanahin monastery briefly revived in the 18th c., when the dome over Astvatsatsin was built, and resumed its college, its students including the great bard Sayat Nova, who was born in Sanahin, the birthplace of his mother.