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The medieval monastic complex, Akhpat, was built in the 10 th – 13 th centuries. Of all the structures only the main church of St. Nshan (967-991) with sculptural images on the outside and frescos (13 th – 14 th centuries) inside, St. Gregory church (1005), the small dome church of St. Astvatsatsin (12 th – 13 th centuries), the 13 th – century refectory, the 13 th - century book-depository, the belfry (1245), and khachkars have survived. All structures were made from stones in conformity with the strict genre of temple architecture.
Akhpat monastery was the largest centre of science with rich collection of manuscripts. It had the premises for the library manuscripts copying, refectories and universities. Akhpat is under protection of the UNESCO and listed as the world's heritage item.
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