RUBEN & VERONIKA VARDANYANS FRIENDS’ FUND, ARMENIA 2020 PROGRAM, ARGA FUND INVEST $20 MILLION FOR TATEV MONASTERY RECONSTRUCTION

ARKA
Apr 10, 2009

YEREVAN, April 10. /ARKA/. The Fund of Ruben and Veronika Vardanyan’s
Fund, Armenia 2020 Program and ARGA Fund have invested around $20mln
for Tatev Monastery’s reconstruction, Ameriabank’s press service
reports.

The investment project aims at promoting tourism in South
Armenia by repairing Tatev Monastery, decentralizing the country’s
scientific-educational infrastructures and establishing a research
center in Syunik region. Among the project activities is to provide
remote villages of Syunik region with connection and boost agriculture
in the region.

Located in Syunik region, Tatev Monastery was built in the 9th century
and was once the residence of the Syunik metropolitan.

One of the most prominent medieval Armenian architectural monuments,
the monastery includes Gregory’s Church (a vaulted monastery), Church
of Poghos and Petros (Peter and Paul), Astvatsatsin (Mother of God)
gateway church and the Gavazan (a pillar erected in the church yard
in 904).

Tatev Monastery was one the largest cultural centers of Armenia
with its epistolary section and library, as well as the most popular
university in Medieval Armenia.

At the first stage of the four-stage project, a leading international
organization that won the tender for the church reconstruction plans
to study the t umbledown monastery. Experts will simultaneously study
the historical monument, as well as the history of nearby villages,
the architecture and ecology of the region. The first phase of this
massive project will last two years.

At the second stage, reconstruction activities will be launched.

The third phase of the project will take around 16 months. During this
period, the world’s largest ropeway will be built over the Vorotan
gorge. It will shorten by 45 minutes the distance between the gorge and
the monastery, allowing travelers admire the ravishing view from above.

At the fourth stage of the project, a hotel complex in the style of the
XVIII-XIX-century Armenian architecture will be built in Syunik. The
hotel building activities will be carried out simultaneously with
the ropeway construction.

Ameria specializes in management, tax and legal consulting, as well
as investment and banking services. It was the first company to use
international experience in the sector and take into account local
peculiarities while carrying out business in more than 30 regions of
Armenia.