Hovhannavank is also one of the significant Armenian historical and architectural monuments of the XVIII century. It is located in the village of Oanavan, on the western edge of the gorge of the Kasakh River. The complex consists of the one-nave basilica Surb Karapet (IV c.), the main church Surb Karapet (1216-1221 gg.), the nartheva-gavit of XIIII c., a tomb, a commemorative stele, a wing hachkar, built-in khachkar, school buildings and a monastery brotherhood, surrounding the complex wall.
The Basilica of Surb Karapet (St. Baptist) is the oldest structure of the complex. According to legend, the monastery was founded in the early 4th century, when Gregory the Illuminator built a single nave basilica here. The name of the church is associated with the fact that it was one of the first Christian churches of Armenia (Karapet – Precursor). In 573, the abbot Ashot Dvineti rebuilt it.
