NORAVANK MONASTERY TO BE INCLUDED IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST IN 2007
Yerevan, June 16. ArmInfo. International experts are developing a
plan of management of Noravank monasterial complex in the territory
of Armenia, which will allow to include this monument in the UNESCO
World Heritage List, says ICOMOS expert David Michelmore.
He says that the monastery may get into the list in 2007. The Armenian
authorities have already applied for the inclusion but there are
still some problems with management, tourist routes and agricultural
activities in nearby villages. In order to resolve these problems
almost 10,000 h around the monastery and 5 nearby villages will be
declared as a specially protected area.
Noravank is one of the best known monuments of medieval Armenia. It
is 122 km away from Yerevan. It was built in XII-XIV and was the see
of Sunik bishops. The most ancient part of the complex St. Karapet
was built in IX-X.
To remind, already on UNESCO list are Hakhpat monastery (II-IV),
Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches, ruins of Zvartnots (II-III),
Gegard monastery.