“Gladzor University” Historical-Cultural Museum Reserve
This museum is uniquely situated within the charming and historic St. Hakob church of Vernashen, and is a great example of the rededication of a historic church to a new use. The museum was founded in 1984, the 700th anniversary of Gladzor University.
Inside you will learn about the history and importance of Gladzor University, which operated from
the 13th to 14th centuries. Additionally, you can find over 250 copies of works created by various scribes, illustrators, and miniature painters that were trained at Gladzor or other medieval Armenian educational institutions. These copies include Bibles, Gospels, textbooks, and other special manuscripts. Museum text is in Armenian, English, and Russian.
Visit the nearby Tanahat monastery, where the university may have been located. The
university was lauded by contemporaries as a “Glorious Second Athens” and the “Capital of Wisdom”. Students followed a rigorous syllabus that included the study of Theology, Philosophy, Rhetoric, Astronomy and Geometry among others. Additionally, the university was a center of calligraphy, which led to the production of hundreds of illuminated manuscripts.
St. Hakob Church (Panorama by 360° Stories)
Cultural Attractions
Armenian Illuminated Manuscripts
While the Etchmiadzin Gospel is one of the earliest dated Armenian manuscripts-containing illustrations form the 6th and 7th centuries, and texts from the 10th century-scholars agree that manuscript production began almost immediately after the invention of the Armenian alphabet in the 5th century. Standard elements of illumination included a miniature portrait (a full page illustration) of one of the four Evangelists that proceeded a chapter of text, marginal ornamentation and decorated initials.
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