Project for the organisation and improvement of the Tatev Monastery territory

The development of the project was preceded by archaeological, geophysical and geological studies of the territory. The territory, which is about five hectares, is located in the protected area of the monastery complex. The improvement of the territory is a priority to ensure the preservation of the traditional directions to the churches of St Paul and Peter and St Gregory the Illuminator from the main and north entrances. Most of the pedestrian walkways are designed to be used as access roads to important buildings if necessary. Wheelchair lanes run parallel to the main pedestrian walkways.

Near the eastern part of the monastery fence, on the territory adjacent to the residential cells, sites have been organised to exhibit numerous sculptural fragments of the destroyed monastery buildings and khachkars (cross-stone). Since, according to archival documents, the area was used as a recreation area for monks, students of the monastery school and pilgrims, this part was conceived as a recreation and exhibition area. This zone is divided into two parts by an alley . One part, which is a triangular plan, is located near the Church of St Paul and Peter, and the other part, which is trapezoidal, adjoins the residential cells. In the triangular plan, groups of khachkars are placed on basalt pedestals of a simple rectangular shape. The khachkars are arranged so that they are perceived in the most advantageous compositional image when viewed from the most important points of the monastery courtyard.

The trapezoidal part of the recreation area, adjacent to the living cells, is designed according to the garden-park principle. On this territory, there are pedestrian walkways that are organised in the direction of the relief, which divide the territory into four parts with 40–50 cm high retaining walls. Several basalt benches of a simple rectangular shape are inscribed in the drawing of the retaining walls. In the compositional centre of this zone, there is another exposition area with six khachkars and two small pools. The terraces have lawns with low grass and shrubs, which do not interfere with the perception of the valuable khachkars.