Khodrakert Monastery

Khodrakert Monastery, also known as Khojik Monastery, is a unique 13th-century architectural monument located in the picturesque village of Jiliza in the Lori region, on the western slopes of Mount Lalvar. Currently, the monastery complex is within the Georgian border control zone, making it even more mysterious and attractive to researchers and tourists.

Historical traces of ancient structures around Khodrakert Monastery indicate that the city of Khodrakert or Hovakert was once located here, founded, according to legend, by Hayk Hov's son named Vardan. The rectangular church of the monastery measures 9.6 x 14.6 m and is externally decorated with two "Armenian niches," while internally it has a cross-shaped form elongated along the west-east axis. The church also has sacristies and four corner entrances from the west and south.

A distinctive feature of Khodrakert Monastery is its dome, which is a unique example of Armenian architecture. The octagonal drum of the dome consists of 30 hexagonal columns, 2 meters high, arranged very closely, creating the impression of narrow openings. This architectural masterpiece attracts the attention of researchers and connoisseurs of history and culture.