According to historiographer Stepanos Orbelyan, a fortification was erected around Tatev Monastery at the beginning of the 10th century on the initiative of the spiritual leader of Syunik, Bishop Hovhannes (1006–1058). In the first and second halves of the 11th century, on the initiative of Bishops Hovhannes and Gregory (1058–1116), arched gates with apses and churches were built over the western and eastern entrances adjacent to the fortification. The western entrance with its apses of St. Karapet did not reach us, but in the 1980s, the eastern entrance near the northern fortification was restored together with the one-nave and over the gate churches of Holy Mother of God (built in 1087).

KeywordsTatev Monastery Stepanos Orbelyan old and new entrances of the fortification construction of the spring archaeological excavations epigraphic inscription manuscript mention.

Tatev monastery is one of the famous spiritual-cultural centers of medieval Armenia, the main St. Paul-Peter (895–906) temple of which was built on the site of an early medieval dilapidated church. The cornices of the eastern twin niches of the temple, as well as one for each of the northern and southern windows of St. Paul-Peter temple of Tatev monastery, are decorated with ktitor sculptural portraits and with the reliefs of dragon-snakes (except for the southern cornice) symbolizing their protection.

KeywordsTatev monastery St. Paul-Peter temple reliefs St. Orbelyan St. Mnatsakanyan sculptural portrait dragon-snake niche cornice prince vardpet (stonemason) Yeghia.